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…

The third Sermon of the Ascension.

The third Sermon of the Ascention.

Acts first. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom of Israel? 7 And he said unto them, it is not for you to know the times and the seasons, which the father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem in all Jury, and in Samaria, and even unto the worlds end.

Actes first. 6 VVHen they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lorde, wilte thou at this time restore the kingdome of Israel? 7 And hee saide vnto them, it is not for you to knowe the times and the seasons, which the father hath put in his owne power. 8 But yee shall receyue power, after that the holy Ghost is come vpon you, and yee shalbee witnesses vnto mee, both in Hierusalem in all Iurie, and in Samaria, and euen vnto the worldes ende.

IF we could enter into the consideration of our weakness, whenas God forsaketh us, we should do our selves great good. Now, under this word weakness, I mean all our vices and imperfections: as very feeble things, and easily to be overcome with every temptation, according to the corruption and perverseness of our gross wits and minds. Wherefore, whenas we shall have deeply considered of these things, we must pray unto God, and beseech him to have an eye to the remedying of all the miseries, whereunto we are subject. Thus we see I say, how we shall greatly profit our selves, by the consideration of these things. We have therefore to note the matter which Saint Luke setteth down here in this place: because he declareth how gross minded the Apostles were, having been taught by the space of three whole years, from the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ all whatsoever belonged to their salvation. Here then we see that they are like unto young Scholars, as if they had never understood one word of that which was taught them. And what is the reason? Forsooth, we should be continually unable to any goodness without GOD should first correct this ignorance: which is a thing that ought greatly to humble us. And therefore, we must understand that our hearing of whatsoever is said unto us, will be to no purpose, and that because it is spoken as unto a Block, until such time as God taketh away the grossness of our corrupt nature: for else we shall never understand what he saith unto us: by reason his word is far beyond our reach. Neither need we any other proof to con damn the ignorance of the Apostles, than their own words. For the question which they asked Jesus Christ was foolish, & of no valour: but only a superfluous curiosity, whenas they said unto him, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom of Israel? now by saying, at this time they declared that they would even at the first dash, have come to honour without any more pains taking, & whereas they were called to take pains for the planting of the gospel throughout the world, they would in no wise away with it, but be forth with filled with all manner of prosperity, with was a double fault: besides, when they spake of the Kingdom,