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…

And here we see how we must apply the instruction of these things which are here recited unto our selves. For it was not the meaning of S. Luke, or rather of the holy Ghost who spake by his mouth, simply to describe unto us an history of that which came to pass: But hath on the one side laid forth unto us, that GOD spared not his only Son for us: ⟨p. 17⟩and besides on the other side, that he brought an undoubted testimony with him that he was the redeemer of the world, and that he might be so received. Let us now consider with our selves to make our profit by this history, so that we may agree with the song of Angels in glorifying of God, and receive also that which it affordeth us for the gladding of our souls. In the first place, The Angel (who brought the message unto the Shepherds) said, Be not afraid, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy. And besides, this was the common testimony of all the multitude of the Heavenly Soldiers, which GOD had sent, And peace in earth to men. And thus we see what it is that we must hold fast in the first place, which is, we must seek all our joy in Jesus Christ. For to say the trueth, when as we are full of delights and voluptuousness, it is without question, we will bathe our selves in all pleasures: and yet if we be not too too drowsy, yea altogether blockish, our consciences will never be quiet, but be tormented without end and measure: For this worm (whereof the Scripture speaketh) will gnaw us, our sins will check us, and we shall feel that God of very right, is utterly against us, and our professed enemy. And therefore cursed are all the joys of the world, because they shall be turned into gnashing of teeth, until such time as we are an atonement with God. Cursed then are all joys, all honours, and all things else that are to be desired, until we feel Gods mercy upon us: and when we are thus reconciled unto him, we may not only rejoice with an earthly joy, but with that joy which is namely promised in the holy Ghost, to the end we might look for the same in him.

And héere wee sée howe wée must applye the instruction of these thinges which are heere recited vnto our selues. For it was not the meaning of S. Luke, or rather of the holie Ghost who spake by his mouth, simplye to describe vnto vs an historie of that whiche came to passe: But hath on the one side laide foorth vnto vs, that GOD spared not his onely Sonne for vs: ⟨p. 17⟩