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…

For the very cause why men presume so much upon their own free will, and the very ground also whereon they build the opinion which they have conceived of their own deserts and worthiness, is that they know not how they be nothing ⟨p. 21⟩in any other respect, than for that God hath accepted them of his own mere free goodness, because he had chosen them already in his own everlasting purpose. Therefore we cannot by any means father the beginning of our salvation upon God, except we confess that which is showed us here, namely that we were utterly damned and accursed at such time as he adopted us, & that the very original cause of his adopting of us, is for that he had predestinated us before hand, yea, even before the making of the world. Mark that for one point. The other evil extremity whereof we must likewise beware, is speculation. Many fantastical folk will say, As for me I shall never know whether God hath chosen me or no, and therefore I must be fain too abide still in my destruction. Yea, but that is for want of coming too Jesus Christ. How know we that God hath chosen us before the making of the world? By believing in Jesus Christ. I said heretofore that faith springeth of election, and is the fruit of it, which showeth that the root is hidden within. He then that believeth, is thereby assured that God hath wrought in him: and faith is as it were the copy or counterpane which God delivereth us of the original register of our adoption. God hath his everlasting purpose or determination, and that he keepeth always too himself as a chief president or original record, whereof he giveth us a copy by faith. I speak here after the manner of men, for we know that God useth neither paper nor parchment too engross us in: and I have told you already, that too speak properly, the register wherein we be enrolled, is our Lord Jesus Christ. Nevertheless God reserveth too himself the knowledge of our election, as a Prince would do an original President, Register, or Record: but yet he giveth us copies or counterpanes of it, authentical enough, in that he imprinteth it in our hearts by his holy spirit, that we be his children. Ye see then that the faith which we have in our Lord Jesus Christ, is enough too warrant us our election: and therefore what seek we more?

For the verye cause why men presume so much vppon their owne free will, and the very ground also wheron they build the opinion which they haue conceyued of their owne deserts and woorthinesse, is that they know not how they bee nothing ⟨p. 21⟩