A17690:475
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…
Divers sermons of Master John Calvin, concerning the divinity, humanity, and nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ as also touching his passion, death, resurrection, ascension: together with the coming down of the holy Ghost upon his Apostles: and the first sermon of S. Peter. The order of which you shall find in the page ensuing.Diuers sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, concerning the diuinitie, humanitie, and natiuitie of our Lorde Iesus Christe as also touching his passion, death, resurection, ascention: togeather with the comming downe of the holy Ghoste vpon his Apostles: and the first sermon of S. Peter. The order of which you shall finde in the page ensuing.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for George Byshop, 1581
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Here then we see whereupon we should lay our foundation, to wit, upon the intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ, because (as Saint Paul sayeth to the Ephesians) we may come near unto God,1 and present our selves unto him, when as our Lord Jesus Christ shall guide us the way, who (as I have already said) is he, that must bring us into the favour with him. Now, what would the Papists do? Forsooth, even make the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ of none effect, and to be nothing at all. And when they will come with such a Devilish boldness as to overthrow the unchangeable decree of God, how can they hope any way to be heard? Let us therefore conclude, that all this doctrine was clean buried in Popery. And why so? Verily, I know they will say, that we are unworthy to come before the Majesty of God, That is very true, and who doubteth thereof? But let us consider by the way, where it is that we must seek for our dignity, must we not seek it in Jesus Christ alone? And yet will they run, to the virgin Mary, to Saint Michael, and to the Apostles: and besides, they will have their Saints of their own devising, which were never heard of in the whole world before, or else which were canonized at the Popes pleasure, even in the bottom of hell. Lo, ⟨image 153⟩here are their goodly Patrons and Advocates. But, let it be that we granted the Papists all this, That their Saints which never were, or else which were half Devils, & fantastical spirits, had been Apostles and Martyrs, and had lived as holily as were possible, had not they, I beseech you, as great need of a Mediator as the rest. This is most certain, that the Virgin Mary could not find grace before the Majesty of God, without the head and principal▪ it was as needful for her that Jesus Christ should be her Redeemer, as well as ours. The Apostles, Martyrs, Patriarchs,2 and Prophets, had also the self same need to run unto this common Redeemer of all men. And what shall we do when we go about to seek him? Wherefore, forsomuch as the Apostles do send us unto Jesus Christ, and have told us that it is he that must be our guide and stay, and who inviteth us so lovingly, saying, Come unto me, &c. Let us not draw backward, nor roil abroad, but boldly draw near unto him.