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…

Now must we apply this well too our own behoof. For some think that men are advanced the rather, because some of them have bin of an honest and unblamable conversation to the worldward: some borne of honourable houses, and othersome endued with excellent virtues, or with some skill and cunning. Too be short, every man searcheth and seeketh as much as is possible, too allege some thing why God hath accepted him rather than his neighbours. But let us learn, that although we were near God in outward appearance, yet notwithstanding, the only way too be in his favour, and too be able too call upon him, and too hope that he will hold us in his fatherly love even too the end, is, that Jesus Christ be our head. And how may that be?¹ It is certain that he is come to save that which was lost. And again, (as it is said in another place) it is a sure and infallible saying,² that our Lord Jesus Christ came too call again too salvation, the sinners that were in damnation.³ Sith it is so, let us learn too humble our selves with all modesty, and not only too shrink in our horns,⁴ but also too be utterly abased and brought under foot, that God may be glorified as he is worthy, and that one of us perk not above another, but make all one body, for that is the condition whereupon we be called.

Now must we apply this well too our owne behoofe. For some thinke that men are aduaunced the rather, bycause some of them haue bin of an honest and vnblamable conuersation to the worldward: some borne of honorable houses, and othersome indewed with ex••llent vertewes, or with some skill and cunning. Too be short, euery man sercheth and seeketh as much as is possible, too alledge some thing why God hath accepted him rather than his neyghbours. But let vs lerne, that although wee were neere God in outward appeerance, yit notwithstanding, the only way too bee in his fauour, and too bee able too call vppn him, and too hope that he will hold vs in his fatherly loue euen too the end, is, that Iesus Christ bee our head. And how may that bee?¹