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…

Now for a conclusion S. Paul addeth, that the Church is the body, and accomplishment of him that accomplisheth (or performeth) all things in all men. In terming the Church the body of Jesus Christ, he showeth the thing that I have touched already: that is too wit, that we need not too make long windlasses or hard journeys too get the things that we have need of. For sith we be united and joined too the son of God: what require we more? We must needs grant this principle, that we have neither life, nor gladness, nor any good thing, but only in God alone. That being confessed, let us see by what mean we may attain too him: and that is ⟨p. 58⟩by the means of our Lord Jesus Christ. And so ye see the cause why it is said here, that all fullness dwelleth in him, & that it is his charge too unite us unto God, and too draw us back from the scattering, wherein we be. Therefore we cannot swerve aside one way nor other too convey any piece of that thing to S. Peter, or too S. Paul, which is reserved too Jesus Christ alone, but that we must rob God of his dew. True it is, that we will not be acknowen of it: but yet shall not our Hypocrisy serve too acquit us before God. We may well pretend many starting holes, but yet do we give sentence of condemnation upon our selves, in confessing that we ought to seek all our welfare at Gods hand. Well then, if we allege that we be not worthy too press into Gods presence: it is true, and if we ask how we may be able too fly without wings: that is true too. And if we say, then must we repair too S. Peter or too S. Paul, that we speak of our own head. For God sayeth the clean contrary. I send you too mine only son (saith he:) for in him shall you find all that you want: and fear not that ye shall have any scarcity, if ye be once filled with the grace that I have put in him, and which abideth in him. And that is the cause why the Prophet Isaiah¹ speaketh purposely of Wine, Water, & Milk: as if he should say, we have all fullness of life in Jesus Christ. As for those then which gad too S. Peter and too S. Paul, and will needs have Patrons and Mediators: they not only do wrong too Jesus Christ, in cantling out the thing by pieces and gobbets which is given wholly unto him: but also rob God of his honour.

Now for a conclusion S. Paule addeth, that the Church is the bodie, and accomplishment of him that accomplisheth (or performeth) all things in all men. In terming the Church the body of Iesus Christ, he sheweth the thing that I haue touched already: that is too wit, that wee neede not too make long windlasses or harde iourneyes too get the things that wee haue neede of. For sith wee bee vnited and ioyned too the sonne of God: what require wee more? Wee must needes graunt this principle, that we haue nother lyfe, nor gladnesse, nor any good thing, but onely in God alone. That beeing confessed, let vs see by what meane wee may atteyne too him: and that is