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…

Paul sayeth expressly, that they which believed in Jesus Christ in times past, are comprehended under Gods election, as well as the others, & that the others cannot boast them selves too be more worthy, or too have deserved more than they, but that all must come too this point, that as well of the Jews as of the Gentiles God chose whom he liked and listed, too the end that nothing should be considered in that behalf but his only mercy, and that all mouths might be stopped, and no man be able too allege that be brought any thing of his own. Howbeit, when S. Paul entereth into this comparison between the Jews and the Gentiles, ⟨p. 31⟩he sayeth that if a man have an eye too Gods accepting of the Jews for his own peculiar heritage, they were a holy linage, and he had given them his Law and promises, by means whereof they were in more excellent and high degree, than all the residue whom he had forsaken and shaken of. But if we have an eye unto God, all mans glory must needs be laid awater. But S. Paul in that place speaketh alonely of the forgiving of our sins, and of our embracing of Gods grace by faith: which things he showeth cannot be fathered upon any other cause, than only Gods pitying of us. Also we have •eene heretofore in the Epistle too the Galatians,¹ how S. Paul •ayd unto Peter, we be Jews by nature. For inasmuch as it was a common opinion, that the Jews were a holy linage, because they were descended of Abraham's race: very well (sayeth he), howsoever •he case stand, we have none other refuge nor assurance of salvation, but too believe in Jesus Christ: for he wist well that men are utterly fordone and lost in themselves, because they bring nothing with them but Gods wrath and curse. Therefore like as in those texts S. Paul hath showed that men beguile themselves, if they imagine that they have any desert or worthiness in them: so now for the better confirmation of the same doctrine, and too take away all disputing, and too beat back all replyings, he bringeth us too this wellspring, namely, that God not only giveth faith too whom he listeth, but also hath elected and chosen us before the making of the world.

Paule sayeth expresly, that they which beleeued in Iesus Christ in tymes past, are cōprehended vnder Gods election, as well as the others, & that the others cānot boast thē selues too bee more worthy, or too haue deserued more than they, but that all must come too this poynt, that as well of the Iewes as of the Gentyles God choze whom he lyked and listed, too the ende that nothing should bee considered in that behalfe but his onely mercy, and that all mouthes myght bee stopped, and no man bee able too alledge that be brought any thing of his owne. Howbeit, when S. Paule entereth intoo this comparison betweene the Iewes and the Gentyles,