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…

WE have heretofore spoken of the obedience of the Apostles, and of their patient waiting for the promise which Jesus Christ had made them by mouth and besides, although they were appointed to this office of Apostleship, yet did they not thrust them selves in to preach, before such time as they had bin confirmed by the holy Ghost. Here then we see their obedience, joined with humility, in that they acknowledged God, to be their guide. And now we are to handle that which followeth, that when Jesus Christ told them of the promise of God his father, he said, ye have heard of me, heretofore. As if he should have said, That they were not to look for that at the hands of God, which they in their own judgement thought to be best, but for the thing which he had promised. To be short, we must here gather a doctrine unto our selves, which is this, we must not build our faith upon any thing that we our selves shall imagine,¹ but upon the promises of God. For Saint Paul saith, That faith cometh by hearing: not by the hearing of mens speeches and talks, but only by the hearing of the word of God. And in deed, because we are inclined to divers temptations, it is meet we should build upon God, and upon his word. Yea verily, howbeit he will not come down from ⟨p. 155⟩heaven to speak to us. That is true in deed: but we must be well assured that the doctrine which is preached unto us, cometh from him: whereof Jesus Christ is a witness when he spake unto his Apostles. For all things (saith he) that I have heard of my Father, have I made known unto you.² And therefore you must not in any wise distrust me, because I am a faithful witness. For we see that Jesus Christ never went beyond his bonds, Whatsoever therefore that we wait for, let us neither look this way nor that, but stand to his word.

WEE haue héeretofore spoken of the obedience of the Apostles, and of their patient wayting for the promise which Iesus Christ had made them by mouth and besides, although they were appointed to this office of Apostleship, yet did they not thruste them selues in to preach, before such time as they had bin confirmed by the holy Ghost. Héere then wée see their obedience, ioyned with humilitie, in that they acknowledged God, to bee their guide. And now wée are to handle that which followeth, that when Iesus Christe told them of the promise of God his father, hée said, yee haue hearde of mee, heretofore. As if hée should haue said, That they were not to looke for that at the handes of God, which they in their owne iudgement thought to bée best, but for the thing which he had promised. To bée short, wee must héere gather a doctrine vnto our selues, which is this, wée must not build our faith vpon any thing that we our selues shall imagine,