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…

13. You also do trust in Christ, upon the hearing of the word of truth, that is too say, of the glad tidings of your salvation, by believing whereof you also are sealed with the holy spirit of the promise. 14. Which is the earnest penny of our inheritance, unto the redeeming of the purchased possession, too the praise of his glory.

13. You also doo trust in Christ, vppon the hearing of the word of truth, that is too say, of the glad tydings of your saluation, by beleeuing vvhereof you also are sealed vvith the holy spirit of the promise. 14. VVhich is the earnest penny of our inheritance, vntoo the redeeming of the purchaced possession, too the prayse of his glory.

We have seen heretofore how S. Paul hath declared, that there is none other ground of our salvation than Gods free goodness, and that we must not seek any where else for the cause why he chooseth the one and forsaketh the other. For it becometh us too hold our selves contented with his only will, purpose, & unchangeable determination. And whosoever goeth any further, must needs stumble into such a dungeon through his ⟨image 47⟩own rashness, as he shall feel that such as cannot honour Gods majesty and everlasting ordinance with all lowliness and reverence, must every one of them (say I) come too shame. Therefore whensoever we come to the searching of the cause of our salvation, let us learn too father it altogether upon God. It is true that too be Gods children and heirs it behoveth us too be of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which thing is done by faith: but yet can we not believe the Gospel except God draw us thereto by his holy spirit. Now we see that he dealeth not alike with all men. For he could very well enlighten all the world, and bring too pass that there should be no unbelievers at all: but we see the contrary. Therefore let us assure our selves, that be chooseth whom he listeth. For if a man should ask the reason why he doth it: it were too lofty a presumptuousness, and that is the very cause that maketh so many overweening folk too break their own necks, for that they cannot find in their hearts too grant, that God governeth men according too his own will, as of good right he may full well. Furthermore also S. Paul hath heretofore set the Jews and Gentiles both on one even ground, and that is a thing that requireth yet longer discourse. For seeing that God had chosen Abraham's offspring, it might have bin thought that there had bin some worthiness in them. Surely if we have an eye too the special favour that God showed too the Jews, they be well worthy too be preferred before all the rest of the world. But if a man take them as they be of themselves: he shall find them void of all righteousness. For we must always come back too this point, that God is not bound nor beholden too any man at all: and his receiving of the Jews by free adoption, is not for that they were better worth than other men, or for that they might make any manner of vaunt at all of themselves. Therefore ye see why S.