A17690:497
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.
Nevertheless, we may conclude, that it is an inestimable benefit, when GOD offereth us his Gospel. For what would we more, then when our Lord Jesus Christ sayeth unto us. Lo here I am: and take charge of you, to the end you might be under my wings and protection, now, what can you desire more? We know then that all this cometh unto us by the Gospel. And this is the perfection of all our happiness, if we could rightly understand it.
Neuerthelesse, wée may conclude, that it is an inestimable benefite, when GOD offreth vs his Gospell. For what would wée more, then when our Lorde Iesus Christ sayeth vnto vs. Loe héere I am: and take charge of you, to the ende you might bée vnder my winges and protection, nowe, what can you desire more? Wée knowe then that all this commeth vnto vs by the Gospell. And this is the perfection of all our happinesse, if wée could rightly vnderstand it.
Moreover, this is certain, that when Jesus Christ thus bringeth us into his kingdom, and taketh us unto him self, it is because he would cloth us so much the rather with immortality & incorruption, to the end we might enter into his promised glory And therefore when we receive this Gospel, we enter into the kingdom of God. But what? This is only but an entrance, howbeit we must go on a great deal further into it: which thing is brought to pass, when as he delivereth us from this cursed bondage of sin, and setteth us at the liberty which he promised us. Thus we see, that it is not enough to have an entrance, but we must go still forward, until such time as we are wholly united unto Jesus Christ. And in deed, we know, that although God enlighteneth us with his holy spirit, and we have a desire to walk in his fear, and acknowledge his goodness whereunto we trust, yet are our infirmities so many as is lamentable, and we are to fight against a number of temptations, wherewith we are oftentimes overcome. What shall become then of all this gear? Is it enough that we have entered? No, no: But we must understand that our life, is a way, and we must still be going on, until we be come unto our Lord Jesus Christ. And so must the kingdom of God, more and more increase, until we are quite rid of sin: For we daily have experience enough hereof, although we are a great way of, from being united to God as we ought. Wherefore, this is a token that God reigneth not in us as he should: For if he did, all our power and force would bend it self that way. Contrariwise, we feel even as great rebellion as may be, when as we would go about to do that which God teacheth us. Seeing then we in such sort stand against God and his justice, it is a sign that he ruleth not us peaceably: For, all that ever we have, even without our bellies, as we say, should go that way, that the glory of God might appear and shine throughout. Contrariwise, we see that there is nothing in us, even from the top to the toe, but horrible rebellion.