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…

Moreover, for the attaining thereto, we are also to beseech him so to strengthen us as that our hearts may be set on fire, where now they are key cold: and also to parboil us▪ that the corruptions of our nature might be scummed of, and to be short, that we might be so renewed, as that we might be quite and clean separated from the world. We shall oftentimes see how the word of God becometh a fire, but it is after another sort, even to consume those which speak against it: according to that saying of the prophet Jeremiah, where he showeth that it fared even so with the children of Israel, whom the word of God consumed like straw and stubble for their wickedness and rebellion. And I beseech you let us see, how many at this day can plead not guilty because they stubbornly lift up themselves against God, like foaming wild beasts: or else some scorning, and profane men, who set themselves against God, not giving any authority or honour unto his holy word? In very deed these people shall never make the word of GOD unprofitable, not yet without power, but it will consume them like a hot consuming fire, to cinder and ashes. Let us therefore make this observation, why it was the will of God to have the holy Ghost appear in fiery tongues: Surely, it was to this end and purpose, that the faithful might understand that they had great need to be so touched to the quick, as that GOD might change and renew them.

Moreouer, for the attayning thereto, we are also to beséech him so to strēgthen vs as that our hearts may be set on fire, where now they are key colde: and also to perboyle vs▪ that the corruptions of our nature might be scoombed of, and to be short, that we might bée so renued, as that wee might be quite and cleane separated from the worlde. Wée shal oftentimes sée how the word of God becommeth a fire, but it is after another sort, euen to cōsume those which speake against it: according to that saying of the prophet Ieremiah, where he sheweth that it fared euen so with the children of Israel, whom the worde of God consumed like straw and stubble for their wickednesse and rebellion. And I beséech you let vs sée, how many at this day can pleade not guiltie because they stubbornely lifte vp themselues against God, like foming wild beasts: or els some scorning, and profane men, who set themselues against God, not geuing any authoritie or honour vnto his holy word? In very déede these people shal neuer make the worde of GOD vnprofitable, not yet without power, but it will consume them like a whot consuming fire, to cender and ashes. Let vs therefore make this obseruation, why it was the wil of God to haue the holie Ghost appeare in fyery tongues: Surely, it was to this end and purpose, that the faithfull might vnderstande that they had great néede to be so touched to the quicke, as that GOD might chaunge and renue them.