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…

Behold, it is God that speaketh, and yet will not they without gainsaying, receive the things that are showed them in the name of God. We see then that they do but lye, in saying that they be dull and gross witted: for they think the clean contrary. The starkest idiots (say I) and the veryest dolts of them all will still be wiser than God. Again, on the other side, what causeth the Gospel too be despised, but that a number of per• and fantastical fellows, think it too ⟨image 64⟩be but a simple doctrine, and that it hath not fineness and subtlety enough for them? So much the more need therefore have we too bethink us of the thing that is showed us here by S. Paul: which is, that the glorious heritage whereunto God hath called us, is an infinite riches. For besides that we be nothing else but mire and rottenness, s••• shutteth us out from all hope of salvation. And so long as we be Gods enemies, what can we look for at his hand but utter confusion? Yet notwithstanding it pleaseth him too make us fellows with the Angels of heaven, yea and more than that too: for we be made members of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the end we should be partakers of his life and glory. How excellent riches are these? When we shall have employed all our wits about them, ought we not too be too much ashamed, seeing that God hath uttered so inestimable goodness towards us? So then, S. Paul too waken up mens drowsiness, and to rebuke and correct their unthankfulness, for that they commend not the hundred part of Gods grace, as they ought too do: telleth us that if we think better upon it, we shall find that his speaking after that manner, is too stir us up too pray God too enlighten us, because that without him, we should not be able too come any thing near faith, nor near any knowledge at all.

Beholde, it is God that speaketh, and yit wyll not they without gainsaying, receiue the thinges that are shewed them in the name of God. Wee see then that they doo but lye, in saying that they bee dull and grosse witted: for they thinke the cleane contrarye. The starkest idiots (say I) and the veryest doltes of them al will styl bee wizer than God. Ageine, on the other syde, what causeth the Gospel too bee despized, but that a number of per• and fantastical felowes, thinke it too ⟨image 64⟩