A17690:614
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 in sum, what we are to consider of, for the better applying of this history to our use. Howbeit, over and besides all this, let us mark the two principal points of faith: and then let us return to our selves, and understand what we would do, if GOD wrought not therein. First of all, there is in faith, knowledge and certainty, and next of all, is assuredness and constancy.
Thus wee see in summe, what wee are to consider of, for the better applying of this historie to our vse. Howbeit, ouer and besides al this, let vs marke the twoo principall poyntes of fayth: and then let vs returne to our selues, and vnderstand what wée woulde doe, if GOD wrought not therein. First of all, there is in faith, knowledge and certayntie, and next of all, is assurednesse and constancie.
Now when God speaketh, we are even deaf at his words, because our ⟨p. 175⟩minds are altogether set upon this world: and indeed we will account all the wisdom that is contained in the Gospel to be very foolishness, until such time as God hath enlightened us.1 In the first place therefore, God must open our hears for the understanding of this trueth, & for sticking thereto, otherwise we shall be both deaf, blockish, & without apprehending of this word. Thus much then for this point. Now, for the second point, it shall stand us in hand stoutly to withstand all the assaults & attempts wherewith Satan assaileth us: and to be well armed & appointed for the same purpose. And how is it possible for us to be so, until such time as God hath put to his helping hand? and there is no way to help that but by the only power of the holy Ghost. And therefore, although we be an hundred times taught the Gospel, yet forsomuch as we are light & fickle brained, we should soon be pulled from it, if God did not strengthen us therein: yea and at this day it is so full of perils & threats, as that the silly faithful souls can no sooner open their mouths to call upon God, but that they are forthwith, at the point, to be put to death: neither can they any sooner confess their faith, but that the fire is lightened utterly to abolish the memory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since then it is so mightily stood against, as that they who should defend the Christian faith, Satan hath inflamed them, if it were possible, utterly to overthrow all, must not God therefore show his power herein? We are then at this day taught by experience, & admonished, what need we have to put in practise the thing contained in this history, & thereupon pray unto the Lord, & beseech him, that as his will & pleasure was to testify unto us the coming of the Gospel into the world, which was wrought by the power of his holy spirit, even so likewise that every of us for our part might feel the same. And, as we ought fully to be persuaded and resolved, that the word which is preached to us is not of men: Even so also ought not the interpretation thereof, as S. Peter saith,