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…

We see then that when the holy Ghost came down so abundantly, that it was to none other end, but that all such as were estranged from the knowledge of Jesus Christ, might be called and ⟨image 188⟩we all be brought together to be the people of God, & so receive him. But for the better understanding of this place, we must lay open the saying of the Prophet, It will come to pass (saith he) in the latter days that I will pour my spirit upon all fl•she: and your sons and daughters shall prophesy: and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Herein is to be observed, that although the Prophet saith that the holy ghost shall be poured out upon all flesh, yet that all men shall not receive him: because we see that a great many are bereaved thereof. Nevertheless, God calleth us all, but we unthankfully and wickedly withstand him. And this is always a true saying, That none cometh to him, but such as the holy Ghost draweth. By this also we are let to understand, that if we come unto Jesus Christ by faith, and so, humbly hold us there, we shall receive the graces of the holy Ghost so abundantly, as that we may be able to communicate them unto our neighbours. And thus we see, that Jesus Christ calleth us all in general: howbeit it is very far of, that all do come unto him, because we refuse the benefit that is offered us. And how so? Forsooth by reason we make our selves not worthy thereof, always desiring rather to give our selves unto our vanities, then unto the fear of God.

Wée sée then that when the holy Ghost came downe so abundantly, that it was to none other end, but that al such as were estraunged from the knowledge of Iesus Christe, might bee called and ⟨image 188⟩we al be brought together to be the people of God, & so receiue him. But for the better vnderstanding of this place, we must lay open the saying of the Prophet, It will come to passe (saith hée) in the latter dayes that I will powre my spirite vpon all fl•she: and your sonnes and daughters shall prophesie: and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dreame dreames. Heerein is to bee obserued, that although the Prophet saith that the holy ghoste shall bée powred out vpon all fleshe, yet that all men shall not receiue him: because we sée that a great many are bereaued thereof. Neuertheles, God calleth vs all, but we vnthankefully and wickedly withstand him. And this is alwayes a true saying, That none commeth to him, but such as the holy Ghost draweth. By this also wee are let to vnderstande, that if wee come vnto Iesus Christe by faith, and so, humbly holde vs there, we shal receiue the graces of the holy Ghoste so abundantly, as that we may bee able to communicate them vnto our neighbours. And thus we see, that Iesus Christe calleth vs all in generall: howbeit it is very farre of, that all doe come vnto him, because we refuse the benefit that is offered vs. And how so? Forsooth by reason we make our selues not worthie thereof, alwaies desiring rather to giue our selues vnto our vanities, then vnto the feare of God.