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, when we shall thus do: then (as I have said) will God like of our obedience. This then is the most worthy service which he desireth at our hands. For else, it is a wise thing for us, to do this or that, because that whatsoever we shall take in hand to do will stink before the face of God, until such time as we believe the Gospel. And herein may be seen the miserable estate and condition of the Papists: for they exceedingly torment themselves with their religions, as they call them: they think that god is greatly beholden unto them, whenas they have plaid the masking Idiots, as they do: and when they have babbled out their Pater Nosters, hearde a number of Masses, trotted on Pilgrimage, and spent their money abominably, they think that God should allow all this gear for currant. But what? Forsooth they want the principal matter, and that is Faith: For admit that these things in themselves were good and godly, yet if men have not faith, God will account them all, as fond and foolish.

Now, when wée shall thus doe: then (as I haue saide) will God like of our obedience. This then is the most worthie seruice which hée desireth at our handes. For els, it is a wise thing for vs, to doe this or that, because that whatsoeuer wee shall take in hand to doe will stincke before the face of God, vntyll such time as wée beléeue the Gospell. And heerein may bée séene the miserable estate and condition of the Papistes: for they excéedingly torment themselues with their religions, as they call them: they thinke that god is greatly beholden vnto them, whenas they haue plaid ye masking Idiots, as they doe: and when they haue babbled out their Pater Nosters, hearde a number of Masses, trotted on Pilgrimage, and spent their money abhominably, they thinke that God should allowe all this geare for currant. But what? Forsooth they want the principall matter, and that is Faith: For admit that these thinges in themselues were good and godly, yet yf men haue not faith, God will account them all, as fond and foolish.

And therefore we see; that the more the Papists go about to think to serve god, the greater condemnation they heap upon them selves, and provoke his anger to light upon their heads. And therefore they are here called the enemies of GOD, because they will not be subject unto the doctrine of the Gospel, well Good sir, will they say, you see that our meaning is to serve God, and this, and that we do, to the same end. Ye say well, But behold how God inviteth you unto himself, he telleth you that all your felicity and blessedness resteth in his only mere favour and mercy, and would have you seek for no salvation but in Christ Jesus alone: he hath told you that he hath sent his Son unto you, that you might feel the fruit and effect of his passion: and that in his name and for his sake all your trespasses are pardoned and forgiven you: and that you should look for none other Advocate but him, to bring you unto his Majesty: and desire to be renewed by his holy spirit.