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 too the end we should know how much we be bound unto God, he repeateth this word, According to his good pleasure, which he had set down before. And that is done too put away, and too shut out all opinion which men might conceive of their own worthiness. For Gods good pleasure can have no place, unless men be barred from all deserving, and repair to him utterly empty. For so soon as we presume too bring any thing at all unto God, surely it is an advancing of our selves too the defacing of Gods grace, so as it may have no more beauty nor preeminence among us, as it ought too have. Too the end therefore that men should forbear such presumptuousness, S. Paul sendeth us still back too Gods good pleasure: as ⟨p. 27⟩if he should say, that there was none other cause of the preaching of the Gospel too the world, than the only frank and free goodness of God. Yet notwithstanding, too repress all overboldnesse of men, he addeth, that God had purposed the said ordinance, and the said high incomprehensible determination of his will aforehand in himself. For what is the cause that men take so great liberty of questioning, disputing, and going to law with God, but for that (to their seeming) they treat of matters which ought to be open & manifest unto them? So then, S. Paul perceiving us too be so foolish and rash, as to presume over boldly to be inquisitive of Gods purpose, saith it is a sealed letter, and that God hath his purpose in himself, and that it is not lawful for creatures too mount so high, and that if they do so, it is the next way too cast them down, and too break their necks. True it is, that we may well apply our whole endeavour too know Gods will: howbeit, that must be no further than he hath uttered in his word: for his word is our light. But if God do once hold his peace, he will have us too bridle and as it were too imprison our selves, and not too start out any further, for if we would needs know more than is granted us, that is too say, more than we ought too know, & more than is imparted too us by his word: it were but an entering further and further into a maze, or rather into the bottom of hell. Therefore let us mark well, how S.

And too the end wee should knowe how much wee be bounde vntoo God, he repeteth this woord, According to his good pleasure, which he had set downe before. And that is doone too put awaye, and too shet out all opinion which men might conceiue of their owne woorthinesse. For Gods good pleasure can haue no place, vnlesse men be barred from al deseruyng, and repayre to hym vtterly empty. For so soone as wee presume too bring any thyng at all vntoo God, surely it is an aduauncyng of our selues too the defacing of Gods grace, so as it may haue no more beautie nor preheminence among vs, as it ought too haue. Too the end therfore that men should forbeare such presumptuousnesse, S. Paule sendeth vs styll backe too Gods good pleasure: as