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…

Now he speaketh of the secret of the Gospel, too magnify this doctrine, which else should be despised of many that will needs play the subtle & sharp witted fellows, according as ye shall see a sort of presumptuous fellows which think themselves so wise, that the Gospel is not for them: for there is such a simplicity in it, as they cannot brook. They would sty up and sore above the clouds, & have such speculations as might amaze them, and (neither they themselves) nor any man else understand them. It is very true that at the first sight, when men read the Gospel, they shall see that God doth after a sort play the nurse there (as he him self sayeth) and that because he knoweth our rudeness, how we be as little children: he lispeth with us. But yet for all that, the doctrine thereof passeth all the wit of man. For the very Angels do wonder at it,¹ and are enforced too honour it, as it is said in another place.² Then let us understand, that in the simplicity which is seen in the Gospel, there is such wisdom of God as is incomprehensible, unless it please him too reveal it too us by his holy ⟨p. 343⟩spirit. For were we the best learned doctors in the world, yet should we fasten upon nothing (there) unless God enlightened our understanding, as is said of it in the two first chapters of the first Epistle to the Corinthians. That therefore is the cause why S. Paul telleth us, that there are great secrets in the Gospel which we understand not, further forth than God worketh in us: and that no tongue of man is able to utter them, except God guide both them that hear them, and are too be taught them, and also those that speak them, so as all be governed, by his holy spirit.

Now he speaketh of the secret of the Gospell, too magnify this doctrine, which else should be despized of many that wil needs play the suttle & sharp witted fellowes, according as yee shall see a sort of presumptuous fellowes which think thēselues so wyse, that the Gospell is not for them: for there is such a simplicitie in it, as they cannot brucke. They would stye vp and sore aboue the clouds, & haue such speculations as myght amaze them, and (nother they themselues) nor any man else vnderstand them. It is very trew that at the first syght, when men reade the Gospell, they shall see that God dooth after a sort play the nurce there (as he him self sayeth) and that bycause he knoweth our rudenesse, how we bee as little children: he lispeth with vs. But yit for all that, the doctrine therof passeth all the wit of man. For the verie Angels doo woonder at it,