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…

Thus we see, that if we follow this doctrine, we cannot do amiss: and contrariwise, this were a trim kind of speech, to say, we are Christians, when in very deed, there is nothing in us but a vain opinion.

Thus we sée, that if wée follow this doctrine, we cannot do amisse: and contrariwise, this were a trimme kinde of spéeche, to say, wee are Christians, when in very deede, there is nothing in vs but a vaine opinion.

And now let us behold the faith which is taught in Popery. They will say forsooth, I believe this and that but if they be asked why believe you so? They will answer, because they were so told. But who is it that taught you thus? Our ancestors. Thus we see, that there is no certainty in their belief, but a vain opinion. And therefore we are to consider of the great grace of GOD to us ward, in that he hath plucked us from that religion: for we go not now by thinking and guessing, but we must stay our selves upon this infallible trueth which he hath given us. In very deed we cannot do thus, without the holy Ghost ratify the same in our hearts. For otherwise it were a jolly kind of speech to say, God hath said it, and this is his doctrine. And therefore until such time as the holy Ghost hath wrought in us to show us that the promises of God are Authentical, we shall but stumble. But as Jesus Christ is a faithful witness of God his Father, even so confirmeth he us by his holy spirit, and we are to beseech him that he would perform it more and more in us. And this is it which we at this present are to stand upon. For Jesus Christ promised to send the holy Ghost unto his Apostles, as may be seen in ⟨image 162⟩Johns Gospel,¹ where this promise is set down that Jesus Christ said unto them, when I am ascended up into heaven, I will send you the holy Ghost. This saying then he confirmed unto them, that they might constantly look for it.

And nowe let vs beholde the faith which is taught in Popery. They will say forsooth, I beléeue this and that but if they be asked why beléeue you so? They will answere, because they were so told. But who is it that taught you thus? Our auncestours. Thus wée sée, that there is no certentie in their beliefe, but a vaine opinion. And therefore we are to consider of the great grace of GOD to vs warde, in that he hath pluckt vs from that religion: for wée go not nowe by thinking and ghessing, but we must stay our selues vpon this infallible trueth which he hath giuen vs. In very déede wee cannot doe thus, without the holy Ghoste ratifie the same in our heartes. For otherwise it were a iolly kinde of spéeche to say, God hath saide it, and this is his doctrine. And therefore vntill suche time as the holy Ghost hath wrought in vs to shew vs that the promises of God are Autenticall, wée shall but stumble. But as Iesus Christe is a faithfull witnesse of God his Father, euen so confirmeth hee vs by his holy spirite, and wee are to beseech him that he would perfourme it more and more in vs. And this is it which wee at this present are to stande vpon. For Iesus Christe promised to send the holy Ghoste vnto his Apostles, as may bee seene in