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…

Thus we see now why Saint Paul doth in this text call us the work or workmanship of God, according also as it is said in the Psalm,¹ that they which were the household folk of his Church, were also his flock. For there the Prophet shoaleth out the children of Israel, whom God had gathered together of his own mere goodness, too set them aside from other heathen nations. For it is certain, that God found none other cause too keep that linage too himself, or too prefer them before others, save only that he of his own mere mercy had them thereunto. As much is to be said of us at this day. And that which he addeth, namely that we were created in Jesus Christ, ought too touch us yet the more too the quick. For there he showeth that the creating of us in Adam, is but a bringing of us too destruction: and therefore that it standeth us in hand too be fashioned and cre•ted new again, namely even in Jesus Christ, who is the second Adam, as he him self termeth him in the first too the Romans, and in the fifteenth of the first too the Corinthians. Ye see then that this word create, is enough too stop the mouths, and too put away the cackling of such as brag of the having of any worthiness. For when they say so, it is a presupposing that they were the makers of themselves. He that challengeth too himself any freedom of will, ⟨p. 78⟩and taketh upon him too have any mean or ability to do good (of himself:) it is certain, that his meaning is, too step into Gods place, and too show himself too be a Creator. But there is no man which abhorreth not such blasphemy. The blindest beetles and maddest bedlams in the world, account the word Creation, as a holy and sacred thing, & will say, that God is the very Creator or maker of all things, and thou Hypocrite confessest the same with thy mouth, and yet thou dost but lye, forasmuch as thou thinkest that thou hast some freewill too further thy self too welfare & salvation. And so thou denyest the first article of our faith: for thou makest God but half a creator, So then they will well enough confess with their mouth, that God is the Creator, yea and as far as the life of this world comes too, they will say, they hold it of him. But now is there a much excellenter life, namely which we hope for, and which we possess already by faith, howbeit that we enjoy it not already now presently.

Thus wee see now why Saint Paule dooth in this text call vs the woorke or woorkmanship of God, according also as it is saide in the Psalme,