A17690:586
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.
Behold the Devils that are above in the air who war against us: but what of all that? Jesus Christ reigneth above them all, and directeth all our fight: and therefore we ought not to doubt of victory. I am here subject to such a number of changes, as might even take a way my courage: but what then? Behold, the son of God is my head, in whom there is no change, and therefore I must trust to that.
Beholde the Deuils that are aboue in the ayre who warre against vs: but what of al that? Iesus Christ reigneth aboue them all, and directeth all our fight: and therefore we ought not to doubt of victory. I am héere subiect to such a number of changes, as might euen take a way my courage: but what then? Beholde, the sonne of God is my head, in whom there is no chaunge, and therefore I must trust to that.
Thus we see what a regard we must have unto his ascension, and make it profitable unto our selves. Let us now come to the saying of the Angels, ye shall see him come down from heaven, even as you have seen him go up: meaning that we should not look for him, until he come to the day of judgement. Now, this should not only pluck all superstition up by the roots out of us, but also draw us to heaven unto him. Howbeit we have already said,1 that we must not seek for him but by Faith. And since it is so, let us hearken to the saying of Saint Paul to the Colossians, Seeing Christ Jesus your head dwelleth in Heaven, in whom is all your life, it is meet that your affection should be on things above, although your bodies be here. Wherefore, since we know Jesus Christ to be above, we must learn to forsake the world, and be united to him. There is a great space betwixt him and us: & therefore it were impossible for us to be joined together except we should use the mean which S. Paul telleth us, which is, to mortify these earthly members: as, Fornication, uncleanness, ⟨p. 169⟩covetousness, gluttony, pride, envy, and all such like: would we be partakers of this Ascension? Then must we not separate our selves from him. But how should we be joined unto him? Forsooth, we must mortify these earthly members, and all other things that hold us here below. Some are given to uncleanness, some to revenge, some to gluttony, and other some to certain other vices.