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…

Moreover, we must join this glorious power, with that knowledge which we here have: not as though it was done but for that present, but the power thereof extendeth it self even unto us, because it reacheth over heaven and earth. Now, this witnesseth unto us, that he is with us, whenas we understand his word: because he hath so promised, and he useth not to lye as men do. Thus we see how sure we are of his presence, and will defend us by his holy spirit. For else what should become of us? Every thing would make us quail: because we are as frail as is possible. Contrariwise, we see how the Devil, is armed at all points against us. And therefore it is needful that God should assist us with his holy spirit, that we might withstand all his forces. We see then that although the body of our Lord Jesus Christ be far from us, yet are we near him through his power and might, which thing he showeth us in the Supper, and therefore are to apply this doctrine to our selves. For the bringing of which to pass, we must not approach unto him as many do, which come unto him like beasts, but let us understand what it is that is there given us. When we see God give us food for our bodies it is a great blessing: But we come not thither to fill our paunches. Why so? Because it signifieth unto us, that we ought not to seek for our bodily sustenance therein. For as Saint Paul saith,¹ We have houses to eat and drink in: and therefore we came not hither to fill our bellies. Wherefore then? Forsooth, it is a testimony that Jesus Christ will feed our souls. What? shall our souls be fed with bread and wine? No, no, that is not the meaning. For there is nothing wherewith they can be fed, but with Jesus Christ, For they must be maintained with everlasting life, which the Angels themselves cannot give. For as they had no being from eternity, so also may they have an end. And therefore, we must conclude that there is but one Father of life, which is Jesus Christ. Wherefore we come to seek him in the Supper, and every one that cometh must have this settled mind, to be able to say, I come hither to have a testimony that Jesus Christ is my life, that being incorporate into him, I might live ⟨image 160⟩for ever. But after what sort come we to find him in the supper?

Moreouer, wée must ioyne this glorious power, with that knowledge which wée héere haue: not as though it was doone but for that present, but the power thereof extendeth it selfe euen vnto vs, because it reacheth ouer heauen and earth. Nowe, this witnesseth vnto vs, that hée is with vs, whenas wée vnderstande his word: because hée hath so promised, and hée vseth not to lye as men doe. Thus wée sée howe sure wée are of his presence, and wil defend vs by his holy spirite. For els what should become of vs? Euery thing woulde make vs quaile: because wee are as fraile as is possible. Contrariwise, wée sée howe the Diuell, is armed at all pointes against vs. And therfore it is néedefull that God shoulde assist vs with his holy spirite, that wée might withstande all his forces. Wée sée then that although the body of our Lorde Iesus Christe bée farre from vs, yet are wée néere him through his power and might, which thing hée sheweth vs in the Supper, and therefore are to apply this doctrine to our selues. For the bringing of which to passe, wée must not approch vnto him as many doe, which come vnto him like beastes, but let vs vnderstand what it is that is there giuen vs. When wée see God giue vs foode for our bodies it is a great blessing: But wée come not thither to fill our paunches. Why so? Because it signifieth vnto vs, that wée ought not to séeke for our bodily sustenance therein. For as Saint Paule saith,