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…

And to the intent that Tychicus should be received, he calleth him brother and faithful minister in Christ: and that is too give him credit, that men might receive his record. And in very deed, we must judever too the uttermost of our power, that such as can serve the Church, may be advanced, and men know what they be, and that they may have as it were their mark, so as they may have authority as is requisite. That is the example which Saint Paul showeth us: For it was not for any vainglory or favour of men, that he commended Tychicus after that manner: but his desire was, that men should know Christs faithful minister too their own benefit, so as he might have access too them, and not be rejected as one worth nothing, but that his word might be received as it deserved.

And to the intent that Tychicus should be receyued, he calleth him brother and faythfull minister in Christ: and that is too giue him credit, that men myght receyue his record. And in very deede, wee must iudeuer too the vttermost of our power, that such as can serue the Church, may bee aduaunced, and men knowe what they bee, and that they may haue as it were their mark, so as they may haue authoritie as is requisite. That is the example which Saint Paule sheweth vs: For it was not for any vaynglorie or fauor of men, that he commended Tychicus after that maner: but his desyre was, that men should know Christs faythfull minister too their owne benefyte, so as he myght haue accesse too them, and not be reiected as one woorth nothing, but that his woord myght be receyned as it deserued.

Thereupon, too end and knit up his Epistle withal, Saint Paul prayeth, that the brethren might have peace, love, and Faith from God, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. Now this word Peace is commonly taken in Saint Paul, for all welfare and prosperity. In deed it signifieth properly concord: but the Apostles being accustomed too the Hebrew tongue, have used the word that importeth both. And when Saint Paul sayeth, Grace and peace be given unto you: by the first he wisheth Gods favour and mercy, and by the other, that he should prosper us in all goodness and good things. Therefore in this text he showeth, that all the prosperity of the godly cometh of Gods mere goodness, and not from elsewhere. Thereunto he addeth also, faith and charity. Wherein we see that God reserveth too him self the office, not only of sending us these outward goods which we want, but also and specially of giving us the spiritual gifts, whereof we be utterly void and destitute. Howbeit, it is hard too make men believe it, because they be always drunken with this pride, of imagining themselves too have some ability of mind too believe the Gospel, and too discern between good and evil, insomuch that too their seeming, it is a needless thing to pray God too enlighten them. But yet must we needs be punished for our overweening, if we think we have either faith or charity of our selves. So then let us conclude, that both of them be the singular gifts of God, and let us confess, that both of them come of him, and that on the other side he must be fain […]: for we be blind […] we have the word pre ched