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…

But yet the thing which he addeth ought too be a greater and larger comfort to us, when he saith, that the Church is the accomplishment of him that accomplisheth all. Now, by this word Accomplishment, he meaneth that our Lord Jesus Christ, yea and also God his father account them selves as unperfect, except we be joined unto him. And that (as I said) is a record of Gods infinite goodness, whereat a man can never marvel enough. First and foremost, God needeth not too borrow at other mens hands: for he is perfect of himself: ⟨image 75⟩neither wanted he aught even before he made the world. And when he made it, did he it for his own profit, or too his own advantage? No: it was alonely too the intent that we should know his goodness, power, wisdom, and righteousness, and be witnesses of it. For he hath set us here as on a stage, too the end we should see his glory in all his creatures: and yet notwithstanding he could very well forbear us. But put the case that God should borrow of others too perfect himself withal, and that he were like too mortal men, of whom none is able to forbear company: put the case that God were such a one: What are we? What can he fare the better by being joined unto us? It is all one as if the sun were matched with a quagmire. For what have we but infection and filthiness? what are we else than things so corrupted by Adams sin, as it is horrible too think? How then can we bring any such perfection unto God? Although there be nothing but frailty in us: although we be froward and lewd: although there be nothing in us but all manner of filth: and too be short, although we be loathly in his sight: yet notwithstanding it is his will to have us joined to him, yea even upon condition that he should be perfected in us by his and our joining after that sort together. As if a father should say, me thinks my house is empty, when I see not my child in it. A husband man will say, me thinks I am but half an man, when my wife is not with me.

But yit the thing which he addeth ought too be a greater and larger comfort to vs, when he saith, that the Chruch is the accomplishment of him that accomplisheth all. Now, by this woord Accomplishment, he meeneth that our Lord Iesus Christ, yea and also God his father account them selues as vnperfect, except wee bee ioyned vntoo him. And that (as I sayd) is a record of Gods infinit goodnesse, wherat a man can neuer maruell ynough. First and formost, God needeth not too borrow at other mens handes: for he is perfect of himself: ⟨image 75⟩