The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the…The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the…

The Papists have foully oversho• themselves in this case, and bewrayed such ignorance, as little children might well spit in their faces for it. Because the word Sacrament was an ordinary word (in old time) too betoken Secrets, mysteries, and all manner of high things that are worthy too be had in admiration of us: therefore the said word Sacrament was […] in here ([…]) It is a great Sacrament, sayeth Saint Paul, that is to say, a great mystery ⟨p. 299⟩or secret.¹ And hereof there is no doubt, no more than when he sayeth, it is a great Sacrament, that God was manifested in the flesh: It is a great Sacrament that the Gospel was published through the whole world,² and that the wretched Gentiles and unbelievers were matched with the offspring of Abraham.³ So in this text, the infinite goodness of our God is a (Sacrament,⁴ that is too say, a) high thing, and well worthy to be looked at of us. Hereupon some folks have bin so very beasts as too say, Then is Wedlock or Matrimony a Sacrament, as well as Baptism, or as the Lords supper. And because they understood not the word: to their seeming there was somewhat to be found here, like as in Baptism, the water betokeneth that we be washed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ: and in the Supper, the bread and wine are warrants and pledges of his body and of his blood. They were of opinion, that as much is done in marriage. Now when we see that such doltishness hath crept in through the whole world, and that these great doctors had need too be set again too their Apcies, for so much as they knew not even the things that they ought too have judged by their natural reason: therein we see that ther• lieth a great vengeance of God upon such as have corrupted the true religion, and made minglemangles in the word of God, after their own fancies. And therewithal we have too thank our God so much the more, for that he hath drawn us out of such dungeons. And seeing there was so horrible confusion in such as are reported themselves to be the Lamps and pillars of the Church, & were taken so to be: sith we see that God did dull them so utterly: we ought not too be afraid too separate our selves from their company and synagogue. And seeing he hath granted us the grace too be no more mingled with them: let us keep on our course, and walk forth soberly.