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…

And for that cause S. Paul addeth, that Jesus Christ hath preached peace to them that were near, and too them that were far of. Whereby he showeth, that when the Gospel is preached, we be daily put in possession of the salvation which was purchased for us by our Lord Jesus Christ, at leastwise if we lay hold on him by true faith that hath taken lively root in our hearts, too bring forth good fruit. Therefore there are two things required. The one is, that we know how that the matter and substance of our salvation is in Jesus Christ: and the other is, that the same be declared too us by the Gospel. And too the intent we may be the surer of this doctrine: S. Paul sayeth, ⟨image 114⟩not that Christ hath sent his Apostles, or set up a great sort of […] too bring us such message: but that Christ himself is come too bring tidings of peace too all men. Now it is certain that our Lord Jesus Christ hath not executed the office of preaching since his Resurrection, saving only among his Disciples, that they might be furnished aforehand too preach every where the doctrine that was committed unto them. But S. Paul sayeth, that he preached too such as had erst bin far of from God. He did not this in his own person. Then is it certain that S. Paul speaketh of that preaching of the Gospel, which was done by the Ministers that were appointed by God, and by our Lord Jesus Christ.

And for that cause S. Paule addeth, that Iesus Christ hath preached peace to them that vvere neere, and too them that vvere farre of. Wherby he sheweth, that whē the Gospel is preached, we be dayly put in possession of the saluation which was purchaced for vs by our Lord Iesus Christ, at •eastwyse if wee lay holde on him by trew fayth that hath taken lyuely roote in our hartes, too bring foorth good fruite. Therefore there are twoo things requyred. The one is, that wee know how that the matter and substance of our saluation is in Iesus Christ: and the other is, that the same bee declared too vs by the Gospell. And too the intent wee may bee the surer of this doctrine: S. Paule sayeth, ⟨image 114⟩not that Christ hath sent his Apostles, or set vp a great sort of 〈…〉 too bring vs such message: but that Christ himselfe is come too bryng tydings of peace too all men. Nowe it is certeyne that our Lord Iesus Christ hath not executed the office of preaching since his Reurrection, sauing onely among his Disciples, that they myght bee furnished aforehand too preache euery where the doctrine that was committed vntoo them. But S. Paule sayeth, that he preached too such as had erst bin farre of from God. He did not this in his owne person. Then is it certeyne that S. Paule speaketh of that preaching of the Gospell, which was doone by the Ministers that were appoynted by God, and by our Lord Iesus Christ.