Four sermons of Master John Calvin entreating of matters very profitable for our time,…Foure sermons of Maister Iohn Caluin entreating of matters very profitable for our time,…

¹This is the cause why the Prophet Isaiah when he had upbraided the Jews, that they had given themselves to false and strange gods, which they had made unto them selves, he addeth, Lo these, these (I say) are thy portion: signifying by these words, that God denieth all covenant and fellowship with idolaters, and disinheriteth and depriveth them of that so infinite a benefit, which he would have bestowed upon them by giving him self unto them. Some man will reply that he entreateth there, of those which put their trust in idols, and deceive them selves through unbelief. I confess it: but contrariwise I answer, that if they which wholly attribute, the honour of God unto idols, are fully cut off from him: they also at the least stray in part from him, who through fear and infirmity feign themselves to consent unto superstitions. For it cannot be, that any man in what sort soever it be, can draw near unto idols, either in hart, in ⟨p. 3⟩gesture, in will, or in show, but be must recoil himself so much the farther from God. Wherefore let us hold this article for resolute, that they which seek truly and in purity of heart to possess God for their heritage, will have no fellowship with Idols, with whom they have such a divorce, that he will that all those that are his, should proclaim & make continual and deadly war against them. And David expressly setteth forth in this place, that he will not be a partaker with their offerings, and that their names shall not pass by his mouth. He might have said, I will not abuse my self with the foolish devotions of unbelievers, I will not put my confidence in such abuses, I will not leave the trueth of God to follow such lies. He speaketh not so: but rather that he will have nothing to do with their ceremonies. He protesteth then that he will abide continually in the purity both of body and soul, concerning the service of God. In the first place we have hereto see, if this be not idolatry, to show by outward signs that a man agreeth to superstitions, through which the service of God is corrupted and perverted. They who swim (as they say) between two waters, allege, that seeing God will be worshipped in spirit, that one can not worship idols, without having his trust in them. But the answer is easy:

¹This is the cause why the Prophet Esaie when hee had vpbraided the Iewes, that they had giuen themselues to false and straunge gods, whiche they had made vnto them selues, hee addeth, Loe these, these (I say) are thy portion: signifying by these wordes, that God denieth all couenaunt and felowship with idolaters, and disheriteth and depriueth them of that so infinite a benefite, which he would haue bestowed vppon them by giuing him self vnto them. Some man will replie that he entreateth there, of those which put their trust in idols, and deceyue them selues through vnbeleefe. I confesse it: but contrariwise I aunswere, that if they which wholie attribute, the honour of God vnto idolles, are fully cut off from him: they also at the least straye in part from him, who through feare and infirmitie faigne thēselues to cōsent vnto superstitions. For it cānot be, that any mā in what sorte soeuer it be, can draw nere vnto idols, either in hart, in