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…

We (sayeth he) have the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba father. We should not know him of our selves (sayeth he) because there is nothing in us but infirmity: and it were too great a rashness in us, too call God our father. But when God hath once sealed the truth of his Gospel in us by his holy spirit, and enlightened us inwardly, so as we know it is he that speaketh: and thereto hath assured us of his goodness and mercy: then may we freely and with open mouth cry out, that he is our father. And so ye see in effect what we have too bear in mind, too the intent that none of us trust too his own brain, when the Gospel is preached unto him, but that in consideration of the rudeness and weakness that is in us, we suffer our selves too be governed by Gods spirit, which is the chief key whereby the gate of paradise is opened unto us. And for that cause also is it said, that we must be besprinkled with the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ,¹ as S. Peter termeth ⟨p. 100⟩it in his first Epistle. For the same cause also the Apostle in the Epistle to the Hebrews saith,² that Jesus Christ was offered up in spirit: meaning that his sacrifice whereby he purchased us righteousness, should still be as a vain thing to us, if the holy Ghost wrought not in it by his power. And S. Paul going forward with the matter that hath bin declared heretofore, addeth also, that as well they that were far of, as they that were near hand, had heard the said message, & that the same is set afore us also at this day, to the end we might be confirmed in it more and more. And (as I have said already) by those that were near, he meaneth the Jews who had had some familiarity with God theretofore, because he had acquainted himself with them, by giving them his Law, telling them that he received their linage too be the protector thereof. Howbeit, that was not too knit them throughly unto him, till he had pardoned their sins, which was done by the means of Jesus Christ. For the Law could yield them nothing but terror and anguish of mind, & curse them throughout, and sink them down too the bottom of hell, as S. Paul sayeth in the third too the Romans,³ and specially in the third Chapter of the second Epistle too the Corinthians. Therefore it was requisite that the Gospel should be added thereunto.