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 too make us too fare the better by a thing of so great price and value, and too make us know that we be no whit better than they which are as poor hungrestarued souls, against whom God shutteth the gate still, and too whom he vouchsafeth not too impart those pledges of his, wherein he showeth and witnesseth that he will be our father. Ye see the Turks have circumcision as well as the Jews, and yet is it nothing worth, because there is no more any promise of God going with it: and yet notwithstanding ⟨image 101⟩we come of Adams race as well as they. Wherefore have we Baptism, but because God intended too show himself the more pitiful towards us, and too utter the riches of his goodness? Again, the Papists will needs be called Christians, and have Baptism as well as we. And yet in the mean while they be bereft of the holy Supper, yea and they have the abominable Mass, wherein they renounce the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. And what cause is there why we should be so preferred before them, saving that God would have us too be as mirrors of his infinite mercy? So much the more therefore behoveth it us too walk in awe and wariness, and too set store by the things which God showeth us too be of such worthiness and excellency, that we may fare the better by them. Wherefore mark it for a special point, when S. Paul speaketh here of Circumcision and uncircumcision.¹ For although he say in other places, that Circumcision is nothing, (howbeit that was but because it was abolished, and the use thereof ceased, as of all other figures of the Law:) yet notwithstanding, at such time as God ordained it, and so long as the Jews used it holily, it was a sure warrant to them of Gods adoption, as if he had cleansed them from all the filthiness that is in Adams race, and appropriated them unto himself.

but too make vs too fare the better by a thing of so greate pryce and valew, and too make vs knowe that wee bee no whit better than they which are as poore hungrestarued soules, ageinst whom God shetteth the gate still, and too whom he voutsafeth not tooo impart those pledges of his, wherein he sheweth and witnesseth that he will bee our father. Yee see the Turkes haue circumcision as well as the Iewes, and yit is it nothing woorth, bycause there is no more any promis of God goyng with it: and yit notwithstanding ⟨image 101⟩