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 how desirous we our selves are to be esteemed and honoured, and yet will we thrust him out at the Cart's arse, as we say, & who made us? for what purpose do they this? Is it not a thing clean against nature? but let us by the way mark that the ⟨image 205⟩ignorance of Infidels and incredulous Papists, proceedeth not of mere simplicity, but of very malice, pride and hypocrisy, which causeth them to be so clearly void of wit, and discretion. And how so? because without all doubt, if we might once come to the knowledge of God, we could neither will nor choose, but humble our selves before him: For it is impossible for us, to be able to think what God is, except we be lively touched with some fear, which may make us yield unto him▪ And therefore, so long as we are Rebels, and his enemies, it is a token that we never knew him: for this knowledge of God, is too too lively a thing, to say, there we see him, and yet be as obstinate and rebellious as Infidels. And if any man say, that they are ignorant, I grant: but let them take this withal, that they are also cursed hypocrites. Is there either one or other of us, that hath any thing in him, able to excuse him? No surely, for if we had but the seed of nature in us, given by God, the very beholding of heaven and earth, were enough to make us think, that there were some one who created all these things: God revealeth unto us as it were in a glass his majesty and glory: and yet there is none of us all that will yield unto it. Surely, the most ungodly, and such as make a scorn of GOD, whenas they be in any pain or grief, will call upon him, and yet think no whit at all indeed of him: and hereunto doeth GOD drive them, that they might be without all excuse, insomuch that they (as I have already said) which are most incredulous, are not yet so ignorant, but that they play the very Hypocrites. They would gladly cover and cloak it: Howbeit they close up their eyes for the very nonce. We are proud also & malicious: for if we did bear that honour unto God that we ought, we would have another manner of care to seek to know him and his will.

We sée how desirous we our selues are to be estéemed and honoured, and yet will wee thrust him out at the Cartes arse, as wée say, & who made vs? for what purpose doe they this? Is it not a thing cleane against nature? but let vs by ye way marke that the ⟨image 205⟩