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…

Let us therefore mark this well, that our Faith may always cleave unto God, as a fast Anchor hold: For we shall find nothing in the Creatures, but shall flit away like water, and therefore it were an ill foundation to build our Faith on them: but when we shall build it upon God, it shall not be subject to reel this way and that, but shall stand fast and sure. And here we see why the Apostles were forbidden to depart from Jerusalem, until they had received the holy Ghost.

Let vs therfore marke this well, that our Fayth may alwayes cleaue vnto God, as a fast Anker holde: For wée shall finde nothing in the Creatures, but shall flyt away lyke water, and therfore it were an yll foundation to builde our Fayth on them: but when we shall builde it vpon God, it shall not be subiect to réele this way and that, but shall stande fast and sure. And héere wée sée why the Apostles were forbidden to departe from Ierusalem, vntill they had receiued the holie Ghost.

Now, by this, we see their obedience: For, in mans reason, they might have somewhat replied and said, What? Are not we the Apostles of God? have not we authority to preach his word? Are not we able to execute our charge? They had some show why they might thus have said. For to what purpose had God justified them in this charge, without they might do it? But they knew well enough that it was he whom they must obey, For cursed is that man who trusteth in him self to do any work, before God putteth him forward to do it. And contrariwise, when God sendeth him, he must not strive against it, but say, Lo here am I Lord, employ me as pleaseth thee. And thus we see how Saint Luke showeth, that the Apostles obeyed Jesus Christ, when as he forbade them to depart from Jerusalem, until such time as God had performed his promise unto them. And herein we see that the grace of the holy Ghost had already wrought in them: For not long before, they were clean out of the way, they had forsaken their Master, they knew nothing what the assistance & safeguard of God meant: and suffered Satan to disperse them abroad. But what? when as God had once granted them the grace to understand his voice and meaning, he needed not but to have beckoned his finger, and they would have obeyed him. And if he had forbidden them any thing, they would not have attempted it: But contrariwise when he commanded them to go, neither fire nor water could stay them. Thus then we see that it is God which must work in us, to bring us unto such a subjection. For else, when he would say, retire, we would go on, and when he would bid us march on,