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…

That therefore is the cause why he sayeth here, that they were sealed or signed by the holy Ghost. Now it behoveth us to mark well the similitude that S. Paul useth. For we know that evidences are made authentic by s•ales: and that hath bin in all times. True it is that men did not set them too in such manner as they do now adays. But yet notwithstanding in stead of signing them with their own hands, they delivered their seal or a ring, and that was the manner of the publication of Testaments, and of other evidence, and of all bargains and covenants. In this respect S. Paul sayeth that we must be sealed in our hearts. True it is, that too speak properly, he should have said that the Gospel was sealed. Howbeit, too the end too do us too understand that the fault cometh and springeth from our selves, and that the Gospel is a doctrine of sufficient authority of it self, he minded too show us, that Gods sealing of his truth is in respect of our hard hartednesse, and unconstancie, for that we be shaken with every wind like wavering reeds, ⟨image 51⟩until such time as he have strengthened us. But howsoever the case stand, let us mark that the holy Ghost is as it were the scale wherewith he ratifieth and warranteth his truth unto us. Now I have told you already how greatly we stand in need thereof. For although we grant that Gods word deserveth to be admitted without gainsaying or reply: yet cease we not too doubt of it, and that do we find well enough by experience. For whensoever any trouble or vexation cometh, we •e as folk dismayed, whereas if we were throughly persuaded of Gods goodness in such wise as he assureth us of it, it is certain that we should not be in any such fear. All the temptations then which shake us, do show well enough that we profit not as we ought too do in the Gospel. And therefore God is fain too warrant it on his behalf by his holy spirit, and too print it so surely in our hearts, as we may be steadfast, and as the same steadfastness may not be beaten down by all that ever the devil can work or devise too overthrow […]. But we shall understand this thing yet better, by making continually such examination of our own weakness, as I have spoken of before.

That therefore is the cause why he sayeth heere, that they were sealed or signed by the holy Ghost. Now it behoueth vs to marke well the similitude that S. Paule vseth. For wee know that euidences are made authentik by sales: and that hath bin in all tymes. Trew it is that men did not set them too in such maner as they doo now adayes. But yit notwithstanding in stead of signing them with their owne handes, they deliuered their seale or a ring, and that was the maner of the publication of Testamentes, and of other euidence, and of all bargaynes and couenants. In this respect S. Paule sayeth that wee must bee sealed in our hartes. Trew it is, that too speake properly, he should haue sayd that the Gospell was sealed. Howbeit, too the end too doo vs too vnderstand that the fault commeth and springeth from our selues, and that the Gospell is a doctrine of sufficient authoritie of it selfe, he mynded too shewe vs, that Gods sealing of his truth is in respect of our hard hartednesse, and vnconstancie, for that we be shaken with euery wynd lyke wouering reedes,