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 it serves too show that we must be builded upon him, according as Saint Paul exhorteth us in the third Chapter of the first Epistle too the Corinthians, where he sayeth, that no man can lay any other foundation, than that which is laid already, that is too wit, than Jesus Christ. Hereby S. Paul doeth us too understand, that men cannot set forth any thing whereon too ground and settle their salvation: there is (saith he) none other foundation but Jesus Christ. Again, we know his dominion extendeth every where: and therefore all of us from the most too the least must yield unto him, and not forsake the great number of benefits which he offereth us, and which we possess by his means.

but it serues too shewe that wee must bee buylded vppon him, according as Saint Paule exhorteth vs in the thirde Chapter of the first Epistle too the Corinthians, where he sayeth, that no man can lay any other foundation, than that which is layd already, that is too wit, than Iesus Christ. Heereby S. Paule dooeth vs too vnderstand, that men cannot set forth any thing wheron too ground and settle their saluation: there is (sayth he) none other foundation but Iesus Christ. Agein, wee know his dominion extendeth euery where: and therefore all of vs from the most too the least must yeeld vntoo him, and not forsake the great number of benefytes which he offereth vs, and which wee possesse by his meanes.

But yet shall we never understand how Jesus Christ is our only foundation,¹ except we know too what end he was sent, according too the forealleged text, where S. Paul sayeth, that he was given us too ⟨image 124⟩be our wisdom. And not only that, but also he addeth further, that he was given us too be our righteousness, redemption, and holiness. As if he should say, that Jesus Christ is our wisdom, whereunto we mu•t wholly hold our selves, because we may there see, that he is the wellspring of all welfare, & hath in him whatsoever is requisite to our salvation. Then if we once know to what end Jesus Christ was given, and the infinite benefits whereof he will make us partakers: we will forsake all other food: that is to say, all that ever man setteth afore us, shall be too us but as vanity, yea and even as dung and filth, because we shall be fully satisfied with our Lord Jesus Christ. Now then, that we may conceive how he is the foundation of the Church, and that we ought too be settled upon him: let us mark that it is because God hath revealed himself fully unto us by his only son, and put all things into his hand which are requisite too our salvation, or worthy to be desired, to the end that we might draw of his fullness, as is said of him in the first Chapter of S. John. And this in effect is the manner how we ought too put this text in ure, where it is said, that our Lord Jesus Christ is in such wise the chief stone, that he beareth up all the whole (building) in the corner: and we know that the greatest weight of a building lieth upon the corner.