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…

Now the doctrine which at the beginning was set forth by the preaching of the Gospel came first of all to the Jews, to the end ⟨p. 182⟩that the saying of Ezekiel might be fulfilled, that from the fountain of Jerusalem, the rivers should overflow even unto the uttermost parts of the earth. Wherein, the meaning of the Prophet is, that the diversity of tongues had never bin spread abroad, if the holy Ghost had not bin sent unto the Apostles, to have dispersed their doctrine throughout all the world. And therefore let us rightly consider, how God by his incomprehensible wisdom hath wonderfully wrought to have the gospel to be published: for although Jesus Christ had very sufficiently instructed the Apostles: yet were they but gross headed, until such time as they had received the holy Ghost: But after they had received him, see how they became of simple souls, such great and learned Clerks, as that they understood the diversity of tongues, the want of which (as I have already said) was an hinderance to the publishing of the Gospel. And therefore, it was not without cause that the Prophet Joel said, that God had poured out his spirit, upon all flesh.

Nowe the doctrine which at ye beginning was set foorth by ye preaching of the Gospell came first of all to the Iewes, to the ende ⟨p. 182⟩that the saying of Ezechiel might be fulfilled, that from the fountaine of Hierusalem, the riuers should ouerflowe euen vnto the vttermost partes of the earth. Wherein, the meaning of the Prophet is, that the diuersitie of tongues had neuer byn spread abroade, if ye holy Ghost had not byn sent vnto the Apostles, to haue dispersed their doctrine throughout al the world. And therefore let vs rightly cōsider, how God by his incōprehēsible wisedom hath woonderfully wrought to haue ye gospel to be published: for although Iesus Christ had very sufficiently instructed the Apostles: yet were they but grosse headed, vntill such time as they had receiued the holye Ghost: But after they had receiued him, sée howe they became of simple soules, such great and learned Clarkes, as that they vnderstood the diuersitie of tongues, the want of which (as I haue alreadie said) was an hinderance to the publishing of the Gospel. And therefore, it was not without cause that the Prophete Ioel saide, that God had powred out his spirite, vpon al flesh.