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 see then whereat S. Paul aimed, in saying that the Gospel was preached too all men, as well them that were far of, as them that were near.¹ And that is it which he treateth of in the tenth too the Romans. For there he showeth that we should ever be scanning, and never resolved of our faith, if we knew not that the preaching of the Gospel proceeded of Gods authority, & of his unchangeable ordinance. It is not for men (sayeth he) too put forth themselves, except God send them. And God hath begun too teach the world at all times heretofore,² though not by preaching or writing, yet by the only sight of the world it sel•e. No marvel therefore (sayeth he) though God have vouchsafed at this time too extend his grace too all Nations, by making them too know that he would be their father. Now then, like as on the one side, it stood the Jews on hand too know how great need they had too be reconciled too God by Jesus Christ, and not too be deceived by trusting too their birthright, or too their Circumcision, or too any of all these shadows of the Law, but that it behoved them too flee too the only means that I have treated of, namely, that God received them too mercy, for the eternal sacrifices sake which Jesus Christ offered: so let us on our side learn too magnify Gods goodness, seeing he hath vouchsafed too cast us too be of his household and Church, notwithstanding that we were cut of and banished from it before. And therefore let us look too our selves, that we let not this benefit vanish away, ne be deprived of it through our own unthankfulness. For what excuse will there be for us, if when God calleth us too heaven in the person of his only son, so as Jesus Christ telleth us, that it is he himself which cometh too seek us, as oft as it is told us, that God will be merciful to us for his sake: we run not apace unto him, both hot in zeal, and earnest in carefulness, too show how we know that all our welfare, joy, happiness, and glory, consist in being joined too our God? which cannot be but through his free goodness. Again, when we refuse too receive this peace, let us be afraid that Jesus Christ will change his voice: for it is certain that the Gospel doth always behight dan• nation too such as frame not themselves too Gods will.

Wee see then wherat S. Paule amed, in saying that the Gospell was preached too all men, as well them that were farre of, as them that were neere.