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…

For he showeth us as it were with his finger, how he hath chosen us, at least wise if we play not the churls with him, but acknowledge the good that he hath done us, and be fully persuaded and resolved in our selves, that there is none other cause of it, than for that he had given us his mark from before all everlastingness: that is too say, for that he had reserved us too him self, as his own children. Now then we see S. Pauls meaning: and therefore let us learn too leave making of long ranges, when the case concerneth our imputing of all things to Gods only mere mercy. For the faith that we have, doth show it well enough▪ because that (as I ha•e said afore) the same cometh not from our own mother wit, but as a gift that cometh from above, & such a one as God communicateth not too all men without exception, but only so such as he listeth.

For he sheweth vs as it were with his finger, how he hath chozen vs, at least wise if we play not the churles with hym, but acknowledge the good that he hath done vs, and bee fully perswaded and resolued in our selues, that there is none other cause of it, than for that hee had giuen vs his marke from before all euerlastingnesse: that is too say, for that he had reserued vs too hym selfe, as his owne chyldren. Nowe then wee see S. Paules meanyng: and therfore let vs learne too leaue making of long raunges, when the cace concerneth our imputyng of all things to Gods onely mere mercy. For the faith that we haue, dooth shew it wel ynough▪ bycause that (as I ha•e sayd afore) the same commeth not from our owne moother witte, but as a gifte that commeth from aboue, & such a one as God communicateth not too all men without exception, but onely so such as he lysteth.

Furthermore here are many words well worth the weighing. For on the one side S. Paul intendeth too magnify the grace of the holy Ghost, by showing that we can have no part nor portion in our Lord Jesus Christ, nor in any of all the benefits that he hath purchased for us, except God put us in possession of our salvation by his holy spirit. That therefore is one point. And yet notwithstanding S. Paul faileth not too show therewithal; the inestimable benefit that we have by the Gospel, in that he termeth it the word of truth, and the glad ydings of salvation. For first of all he meant too assure us, too the inent we might have an infallible warrant too call upon God without