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…

Whereas he sayeth, that the Gentiles have good cause too hold down their heads, because they were sometime without assurance of Gods goodness and love: thereby we be put in mind, that we receive a singular benefit at Gods hand, when we have the use of his Sacraments, which are as warrants, that he taketh and avoweth us too be of his household and Church. True it is, that if we abuse them, we shall pay dearly for it: but yet whatsoever come of it, when the Sacraments are put too the end whereunto they were ordained, it is certain, that they be as it were inestimable treasures, as I said afore. For although we have Gods promise that he taketh us for his children, even from our coming out of our mothers womb: yet is there nothing but uncleanness in our flesh. Now then, have we baptism? There it is showed us that God washeth and cleanseth us from all our uncleanness, that he pulleth us out of the confusion wherein we were with our father Adam: and that he will have us clothed with Jesus Christ, too be partakers of all his goods, as though they were our own.

Whereas he sayeth, that the Gentyles haue good cause too hold downe their heades, bycause they were sometyme without assurance of Gods goodnesse and loue: therby wee bee put in mynd, that wee receyue a singular benefyte at Gods hand, when wee haue the vse of his Sacramentes, which are as warran•es, that he taketh and auoweth vs too bee of his household and Church. Trew it is, that if wee abuse them, wee shall pay deerly for it: but yit whatsoeuer come of it, when the Sacramentes are put too the end wheruntoo they were ordeyned, it is certein, that they bee as it were inestimable treasures, as I sayd afore. For although wee haue Gods promis that he taketh vs for his children, euen from our comming out of our mothers womb: yit is there nothing but vnclennesse in our flesh. Now then, haue wee baptim? There it is shewed vs that God washeth and clenzeth vs from all our vnclennesse, that he pulleth vs out of the confuzion wherin wee were with our father Adam: and that he will haue vs clothed with Iesus Christ, too bee parttakers of all his goods, as though they were our owne.

We see then what baptism importeth, and consequently how much we ought too esteem this grace of Gods coming unto us in such wise, and of his showing of himself too be our father after so homely