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…

Moreover S. Pauls intent here, is to provoke us too receive the Gospel with all obedience, not only for the worthiness of the person of our Lord Jesus Christ: but also for the things that are contained in the Gospel it self: for it is the message of peace, saith he. Let us consider what it is to have war with him that made us and fashioned us. If we have an enemy in this world, although he be but a ⟨p. 98⟩frail man, and have no very great credit: Yet will we be afraid least he should practise some policy or spite against us, or revenge himself by force. Too be short, we would ever be unquiet, so long as we had any enemies in this world. Must we not then needs be too brutish, seeing we fall a sleep when God showeth himself too be against us, and that he is armed too take vengeance upon us? If we considered well what it is too have war with God, (as in deed our sins cease not to provoke him to displeasure) we should find on the contrary part, what a benefit it is too have peace and atonement with him. Now seeing that this is brought us by the Gospel, whereby we enter possession of the atonement that was made by Jesus Christ, whe• he offered himself in sacrifice by his death: it is a thing that ought too inflame us in such wise, as too make us embrace the Gospel with earnest zeal, and too give over our whole mind thereunto. So then considering the coldness and laziness that is in us, let us so much the more think upon this saying, and apply the same too our use, namely, first too know that the son of God refuseth not too teach us, and too be o•r schoolmaster, so we be contented too be his scholars: and secondly that we shall have a doctrine which is more too be desired, than all the pleasures, honour, and goods of the world: that is too wit, that we be at peace with God, and that being sure of his favour towards us, we may have recourse and access unto him, and be received as his children at his hand. Well ought we too note that: for S. Paul meant too show which is the true peace, because many men think themselves well at ease, which notwithstanding have no peace with God. For some are puffed up with devilish self weening, as the Monks and Fryers in the popedom, who persuade themselves that they have deserved so well at Gods hand, as there can no fault be found in them.

Moreouer S. Paules intent here, is to prouoke vs too receyue the Gospell with all obedience, not onely for the worthinesse of the person of our Lord Iesus Christ: but also for the things that are conteyned in the Gospell it self: for it is the message of peace, sayth he. Let vs consider what it is to haue warre with him that made vs and fashioned vs. If wee haue an enemy in this world, although he be but a