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…

It is further said, that when he showed him self, That he spake of the kingdom of God, amongst his friends. Wherein we are to note, that the Commission which was granted unto these, from whom we receive the doctrine of the Gospel, was not set down in a word, or for a minute of an hour, but, that they were, so sufficiently instructed, for a long while, and that they have not instructed us at random, not knowing what they meant, but were taught and instructed as they should be. And when they had, thus fully and wholly received this doctrine, and therewithal authority to bestow it, they have delivered the same faithfully unto us.

It is further saide, that when hée shewed him selfe, That hee spake of the kingdome of God, amongst his friendes. Wherein wee are to note, that the Commission which was graunted vnto these, from whom we receiue the doctrine of the Gospell, was not set downe in a worde, or for a minute of an houre, but, that they were, so sufficiently instructed, for a long while, and that they haue not instructed vs at randon, not knowing what they meant, but were taught and instructed as they shoulde bée. And when they had, thus fully and wholly receiued this doctrine, and therewithall authoritie to bestow it, they haue deliuered the same faythfully vnto vs.

Thus we see what we have to note in this saying. Now, ⟨image 156⟩it is said, that Jesus Christ showed him self unto his Apostles, and in showing him self, He spake of the kingdom of God amongst them. But here we are to understand, what it is that Saint Luke meaneth by the kingdom of God: he meaneth not by this kingdom of God, everlasting life, as we commonly take it, and as at the first sight, it might here be taken, as who should say, That, that, is the kingdom of God, which we wait for, through hope. But Saint Luke taketh it to be the spiritual government, by which Jesus Christ holdeth us in his obedience, until he hath wholly reformed us unto his own Image, and having despoiled us of this mortal body, sendeth us to heaven. And this is the very meaning of S. Luke: But to make the matter more easy and plain, let us take the kingdom of God clean contrary: and that is this, the life of men, which follow their corrupt nature. And in deed, if Jesus Christ should go from us, and let us go whether we listed our selves, surely we should be quite & clean out of the kingdom of God. For by the kingdom of God, is meant a reformation: and we bring nothing with us but miseries & corruptions in this world: to be short, we are wandering beasts, and the Devil ruleth us, and so, thralleth us, even as it pleaseth him self.