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…

For the baptism that we received in our childhood, stood us in none other stead, but too make us double guilty before God For they that were plunged in the superstitions of popery, and in all the Idolatries that are committed there, had as good as renounced their baptism, and were become renegates: and we can not excuse our selves too have bin forsworn unto God, seeing we were start away from his obeisance. Therefore it is not for us too make any boasting, or too seek any excuse too cover our wretchedness withal: but rather too confess freely that we were as deadly enemies too God, and worthy too have bin utterly given over of him, because he had reached us his hand too bring us back again too the way of salvation. So then, first we take ⟨p. 82⟩this text as it lieth, to apply it to the Ephesians, and afterward look too take profit of it our selves. Now then let us see the contents and substance of these words, Bethink your selves, and remember how ye were sometime Gentiles.

For the baptim that wee receiued in our chyldhod, stoode vs in none other sted, but too make vs dubble giltie before God For they that were plundged in the superstitions of poperie, and in all the Idolatries that are committed there, had as good as renounced their baptim, and were become renegats: and wee can not excuze our selues too haue bin forsworne vntoo God, seing wee were start away from his obeysaunce. Therfore it is not for vs too make any boasting, or too seeke any excuce too couer our wretchednesse withall: but rather too confesse freely that wee were as deadly enemies too God, and woorthie too haue bin vtterly giuen ouer of him, bycause he had reached vs his hand too bring vs backe agein too the way of saluation. So then, first wee take ⟨p. 82⟩this text as it lyeth, to apply it to the Ephesians, and afterward looke too take profit of it our selues. Now then let vs see the contents and substance of these woords, Bethink your selues, and remember how yee were sometyme Gentyles.

First he putteth a difference between the Jews, and those whom God had suffered too walk on still in their own darkness. For it was a special privilege that God gave unto Abraham's offspring, when he adopted them, too say too them, you shall be my people whom I like of, as though ye were of mine own household. Those then which came not of Abraham's line, were as good as banished from Gods kingdom and Church. And he addeth, in the flesh. Not as he speaketh in divers other places, where he useth that word in reproach: but too show that God had showed by a visible fashion, how wretched their state was, and that they needed not any great deepness of wit too perceive it. For circumcision (sayeth he) served as it were too rid men of their uncleanness. And furthermore that Sacrament was ordained of God, too show that all the seed of man is cursed, and that we cannot be rightly made holy and pure, but by the cutting of, & putting away of the things that we have by nature. Too be short, like as now adays we be taught by Baptism too renounce whatsoever we have by birth: so also was circumcision a token to show how all men were filthy and loathsome, till they had forsaken their own kind. Now then, S. Pauls meaning is, that the said visible sign, showed well too all the heathen, that they were (as ye would say) unworthy too press unto God, and that he vouchsafed not to receive them into the company of the faithful. For the Jews had not invented circumcision of their own brain: but (as I have said afore) God had shoaled them out from the rest of the world, & all was by reason of the privilege of his own mere grace & goodness.