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 now let us come too o•r selves. I have already declared briefly, that our fathers were in the same state that S. Paul setteth down here. And therefore we have no cause too brag of, as oft as we think of what root and original we spring. For if the very Jews be at this day a record of Gods wrath and horrible vengeance, which he layeth upon them for their unbelief: is there not much more cause for too cast down their eyes, which are but as things borne out of time? For the Jews are of the holy root that God had chosen, and we be but grafted into it in their stead. If God hath not spared the natural branches,¹ what will he do too us that have bin brought in as it were against nature? Lo how S. Paul exhorteth us too lowliness, too the end we should learn to submit our selves always too Gods mere goodness, and frankly and freely confess that our welfare consisteth therein. Also I told you secondly, not only that our fathers were strangers to the hope of salvation, because they were not adopted as well as the Jews: but also that the horrible scattering which came upon the whole world, and which reigneth in it still at this day, ought too beat down all pride and presumption, that Gods grace may shine the brighter upon us. Now then (as I said) although we be baptized, and have the badge of Gods goodness and free adoption: yet, notwithstanding we have bin wretched idolaters, and were gone away from our Lord Jesus Christ, and the things that we had in greatest estimation, turned too our greater damnation, in stead of being for our welfare. Therefore we have good cause here too bethink our selves.

But now let vs come too o•r selues. I haue alreadie declared breifly, that our fathers were in the same state that S. Paule setteth downe here. And therefore wee haue no cause too brag of, as oft as we thinke of what roote and originall wee spring. For if the very Iewes bee at this day a record of Gods wrath and horrible vengeance, which he layeth vppon them for their vnbeliefe: is there not much more cause for too cast downe their eyes, which are but as things borne out of tyme? For the Iewes are of the holy roote that God had chozen, and wee bee but graffed intoo it in their steade. If God hath not spared the naturall braunches,¹ what will he doo too vs that haue bin brought in as it were ageinst nature? Loe how S. Paule exhorteth vs too lowelinesse, too the end wee should lerne to submit our selues alwayes too Gods meere goodnesse, and frankly and freely confesse that our welfare consisteth therin. Also I told you secondly, not onely that our fathers were straungers to the hope of saluation, bicause they were not adopted as well as the Iewes: but also that the horrible scattering which came vppon the whole world, and which reigneth in it still at this day, ought too beate downe al pryde and presumption, that Gods grace may shine the brighter vppon vs. Now then (as I sayd) although wee bee baptyzed, and haue the badge of Gods goodnesse and free adoption: yit, notwithstanding we haue bin wretched idolaters, and were gone away from our Lord Iesus Christ, and the things that wee had in greatest estimation, turned too our greater damnation, in steade of being for our welfare. Therefore wee haue good cause here too bethinke our selues.