Divers sermons of Master John Calvin, concerning the divinity, humanity, and nativity of our…Diuers sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, concerning the diuinitie, humanitie, and natiuitie of our…

And therefore, we ought so much the more make estimation of the Gospel, whenas we see that it was in popery so darkened, yea and in such sort, altogether defaced, as that the poor souls were utterly famished. For, although it was somewhat slightly preached, yet left they always the poor people doubtful, and superstitious, without having any assurance of the mercy of God. Yea, and the Papists say, that we must not presume to assure our selves of the love of God, but only live upon conjectures and guesses. Howbeit this is to make the fruit of the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ of none effect. And therefore let us learn so to benefit our selves by the Gospel, as that we may be certified that God loveth us, and taketh us for his own dear children. Wherefore, let us (as I have already said) so much the more praise and magnify this grace, whenas we see the greatest part of the world to be so far from it.

And therefore, we ought so much the more make estimation of the Gospell, whenas we sée that it was in popery so darkned, yea and in such sorte, altogether defaced, as that the poore soules were vtterly famished. For, although it was somewhat slightly preached, yet left they alwaies the poore people doubtfull, and supersticious, without hauing any assueraunce of the mercy of God. Yea, and the Papistes saye, that wee must not presume to assure our selues of the loue of God, but onely liue vpon coniectures and gesses. Howbeit this is to make the fruite of the death and passion of our Lorde Iesus Christ of none effect. And therefore let vs learne so to benefite our selues by the Gospell, as that we may bee certified that God loueth vs, and taketh vs for his owne deare children. Wherfore, let vs (as I haue already sayde) so much the more praise and magnifye this grace, whenas wée sée the greatest part of the world to be so farre from it.

Now, it remaineth that the Prophet addeth and sayeth, that he laid down his soul for many. Whereby he signifieth, that we are not justified by a certain vain imaginative faith, in only believing that there is a God, and by a confused knowledge and general conceit to understand, that Jesus Christ hath suffered death and passion: but because we are made partakers, by faith, of the sacrifice that was offered for us, to the end God might be favourable unto us, and not impute our sins and iniquities any more unto us. Surely, the Papists are so blockish and brutish, as that when they would show that we are not justified by Faith only, they reason after this manner, we are (say they) justified by the mercy of God: and therefore not by faith only: Moreover they say, we are justified by the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ: and therefore no more, by faith only: it is much like as if a man would say, we are made warm by heat, and therefore