A17705:238
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…
The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the Ephesians. Translated out of French into English by Arthur GoldingThe sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the Ephesians. Translated out of French into English by Arthur Golding
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Lucas Harison, 1577
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
We have seen already heretofore, that too know Gods infinite goodness throughly, we must always consider what we be our selves, and what our state is till God have pitied us too succour our wretchedness. For until men have so examined them selves, how wretched and miserable they be, surely they will never yield God the hundred part of the honour that he deserveth. Wherefore let us bear well this lesson in remembrance, that too yield God the praise which is due too him, every of us must consider wh•• he were of him self, if God had not reached out his hand unto him. And in good faith, what is our nature in general? It is too think nothing but all manner of evil: and that is the matter which S. Paul treateth of as now.
WEe haue seene already heretoofore, that too knowe Gods infinite goodnesse throughly, wee must alwayes consyder what wee bee our selues, and what our state is tyll God haue pitied vs too succour our wretchednesse. For vntyll men haue so examined them selues, howe wretched and miserable they bee, surely they wyl neuer yeelde God the hundreth part of the honour that he deserueth. Wherefore let vs beare wel this lesson in remembrance, that too yeeld God the prayze which is due too hym, euery of vs must consider wh•• he were of hym selfe, if God had not reached out his hand vntoo hym. And in good faith, what is our nature in generall? It is too thinke nothing but al maner of euyll: and that is the matter which S. Paule treateth of as now.
In the first chapter the matter which he treated of continually, was that we cannot sufficiently exalt our God, considering the mercy that he useth towards us. And now too express the same yet the better, and to touch us the more to the quick with it: he showeth us as in a picture or in a glass, what men are till God have prevented them with his grace, and called them back too himself. Therefore he showeth that we be plunged in so horrible a dungeon, that the very thinking of it ought to abash us, and make the hairs stand up upon our heads: for it cannot be but that thereupon we must needs be moved and inflamed too bliss Gods name, for that he hath sought us so in in the bottom of Hell,