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…

Afterward here followeth, that we should be shod with preparation too the Gospel of peace. No doubt but Saint Paul had an eye to the ancient fashion of men of war. For they wore no shoes at home, but only when they went a warfare: and that was both too defend them from the cold, and too save their feet when they entered into battle with the enemy. It is said, that the Gospel serveth us for it. Howbeit there are two other words too be marked also, in that he addeth, Preparation, and Peace. Notwithstanding, that we may lay forth things in their order, let us note that Saint Paul allotteth too the Gospel this power and property of shooing of us, because that when we be trained in the doctrine of the Gospel as we ought too be, then we may walk (safely) through the world. For we see how the unbelievers are plunged ever head and ears in it. Those whom God hath not prepared too walk and too attain too the kingdom of heaven, are so snarled in this world, that they be altogether unprofitable, as though they had their legs broken, and they sink themselves daily deeper and deeper in it. Therefore there is but one only way too make us wade through this world, and too attain too the kingdom of heaven: which is, too have such instruction as is in the Gospel, namely that God having adopted us too be his children, will not have us too dwell here beneath for ever, but that we should come unto him, yea even with all haste and speed, and again, that we intermeddle not our selves with the uncleanness of the unbelievers, but separate our selves from them. Thus much concerning the first point.

Afterward heere followeth, that vvee should bee shod vvith preparation too the Gospel of peace. No dout but Saint Paule had an eye to the auncient fashion of men of warre. For they wore no shooes at home, but only when they went a warfare: and that was bothe too defend them from the cold, and too saue their feete when they entred intoo battell with the enemie. It is sayd, that the Gospell serueth vs for it. Howbeit there are twoo other woords too bee marked also, in that he addeth, Preparation, and Peace. Notwithstanding, that wee may lay foorth things in their order, let vs note that Saint Paule allotteth too the Gospell this power and propertie of shooing of vs, bycause that when wee bee trayned in the doctrine of the Gospell as wee ought too bee, then wee may walk (safely) through the world. For wee see how the vnbeleeuers are plundged euer head and eares in it. Those whom God hath not prepared too walk and too atteyne too the kingdome of heauen, are so snarled in this world, that they bee altoogither vnprofitable, as though they had their legges broken, and they sink themselues dayly deeper and deeper in it. Therfore there is but one only way too make vs wade through this world, and too atteyne too the kingdome of heauen: which is, too haue such instruction as is in the Gospell, namely that God hauing adopted vs too bee his children, will not haue vs too dwell heere beneathe for euer, but that wee should come vntoo him, yea euen with all haste and speede, and agein, that we intermeddle not our selues with the vncleannesse of the vnbeleeuers, but separate our selues from them. Thus much concerning the first poynt.