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…

But therewithal he showeth also where we should seek for his word. For faithless men are so spiteful, that they seek all manner of krinks too shift themselves from God. And surely we see, that many make as though they were willing too serve God, so it might be apparent too them, that it is he which speaketh: but therewithal they doubt whether the Law came of him or no, and whether the Gospel be his truth or no. Lo how men would shake of Gods yoke too the uttermost of their power, by their shrinking aside, and by their starting holes and shifting. They make protestation with full mouth, that their intent is too humble themselves under him: and yet they know not, neither can they discern which is his word. And why is that? Even because of their malice and unthankfulness. S. Paul therefore too bar all such trifling excuses, telleth us that inasmuch as God hath spoken by Moses and his Prophets, and finally by his Apostles, we ought too assure our selves, that all that ever is contained in the Law, and in the Gospel, is the truth it self, and that we ought not be afraid too be be guiled or deceived. We shall hear many Replies, for every man imagineth whatsoever cometh in his fancy. But God authorized his word sufficiently, when he published his Law. Again, he gave sufficient authority too his Prophets: and finally his Gospel was ratified and sealed with miracles enow. Therefore it is not for us too say, we know not whether it be Gods word or no: For it is in our mouth, it is near at hand to us, insomuch that God hath vouchsafed to feed us like little babes with it, by sending us mortal men to speak it too us face to face. So then let us learn first of all, not to sor• ⟨p. 104⟩in the air, when the receiving of Gods word cometh in question. Let us be contented that he hath given us sufficient record of his will by his Prophets and Apostles (and so shall we yield him obedience) though it hath pleased him too use such instruments of his holy spirit: for our faith cannot be without humility, and God taketh a trial thereof, in making mortal men too be the means whereby he communicateth himself unto us. Take it therefore for a principal, that it must not grieve us though God appear not in visible shape, or though he send us not his Angels from heaven.

But therwithall hee sheweth also where wee should seeke for his woord. For faythlesse men are so spytefull, that they seeke all maner of krinks too shift themselues from God. And surely wee see, that manie make as though they were willing too serue God, so it myght bee apparant too them, that it is he which speaketh: but therwithall they doubt whether the Lawe came of him or no, and whether the Gospell bee his truth or no. Lo how men would shake of Gods yoke too the vttermost of their power, by their shrinking aside, and by their starting holes and shifting. They make protestation with full mouth, that their intent is too humble themselues vnder him: and yit they knowe not, nother can they discerne which is his woord. And why is that? Euen bycause of their malice and vnthankfulnesse. S. Paule therefore too barre all such tryfling excuces, telleth vs that inasmuch as God hath spoken by Moyses and his Prophets, and finally by his Apostles, wee ought too assure our selues, that al that euer is couteyued in the Lawe, and in the Gospel, is the truthe it self, and that we ought not bee afrayd too bee be guyled or deceyued. Wee shall heare manie Replyes, for euery man imagineth whatsoeuer commeth in his fancie. But God authorized his woord sufficiently, when he published his Law. Agein, he gaue sufficient authoritie too his Prophets: and finally his Gospel was ratified and sealed with miracles ynow. Therfore it is not for vs too say, wee knowe not whether it bee Gods woord or no: For it is in our mouth, it is neere at hand to vs, insomuch that God hathe voutsafed to feed vs lyke littel babes with it, by sending vs mortall men to speake it too vs face to face. So then let vs learne first of all, not to sor