A17690:529
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.
Thus we see that the Sacrament is never without his power and virtue, howbeit we receive no fruit nor benefit by it, because it cannot enter without faith. We have here therefore to note, that the trueth of Baptism is not in the water, but in the holy Ghost. And besides Jesus Christ giveth us the holy Ghost. And therefore we are throughly to mark, that if we would be benefited by Baptism, we must not stick so much to the water, as though our salvation were enclosed therein: but let us understand ⟨p. 158⟩that it is the holy Ghost that must work all.
Thus we sée that the Sacrament is neuer without his power and vertue, howbeit we receiue no fruit nor benefite by it, because it cannot enter without faith. Wée haue héere therefore to note, that the trueth of Baptisme is not in the water, but in the holie Ghost. And besides Iesus Christ geueth vs the holie Ghost. And therefore wée are throughly to marke, that if we woulde bée benefited by Baptisme, we must not sticke so much to the water, as though our saluation were enclosed therein: but let vs vnderstand ⟨p. 158⟩that it is the holie Ghost that must woorke all.
Moreover, we see that the world hath received this doctrine very perniciously: for the Papists think, that the grace of God is tied to it, and they charm it like Conjurers, giving to the water, the power of the Sacrament. And therefore they say, that that child that is not baptized, is damned. Wherefore, for the preventing of this danger, they are not only contented to give power & authority to all men, of what state and condition soever they be, to baptize, but even to women also: for fear, say they, that the children might die without baptism. And so, they think that the truth of baptism consisteth in the water: so that by this mean the blood of Jesus Christ is laid clean aside. But as for us, let us learn, that the truth of baptism is not in the water, but in the holy Ghost. And yet is not the sign unprofitable: for it witnesseth unto us that our souls are washed: But if we will have the truth of it, we must come to the holy Ghost as we have already showed.