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…

So then let us mark well, that S. Pauls labouring so much too show that he thrust not in him self too be an Apostle, but that he was sent of God, and had that office at Gods hand, and that in all his doings he attempted not any thing upon presumption, or through rashness, but according too our Lord Jesus Christs choosing of him, because it was his will too be served of him after that manner: is not causeless. That therefore is the ground that he goeth upon in this Text.

So then let vs marke well, that S. Paules labouring so much too shewe that he thrust not in hym selfe too bee an Apostle, but that he was sent of God, and had that office at Gods hand, and that in all hys dooyngs he attempted not any thing vppon presumption, or through rashnesse, but according too our Lorde Iesus Christes choozyng of hym, bycause it was his wyll too bee serued of hym after that maner: is not causelesse. That therefore is the grounde that he goeth vppon in this Text.

Now he sayeth also, that the Ephesians ought too have known well the mystery or secret that had bin revealed unto him, namely too the end they might have bin sure that he was ordained and appointed too deal forth Gods grace, and too preach everlasting salvation of their souls, too such as had erst bin cut of and banished out of the kingdom of heaven. And here we have too mark first of all, that too hear and too understand the things that are preached too us concerning the Gospel, is not all that we have to do: but that we must mount up yet a little higher: that is too wit, that God would have us too be certified of his good will by the record of men. For were it a thing devised here beneath, it w•re too weak stuff. And therefore let us mark, that the preaching of the Gospel and our common meeting together too be taught, is not a policy or order of mans devising, nor a fancy, or invention of man, but an ordinance of God, and an abiding Law, where against it is not lawful for us too atte•p• any thing at all. Sith i• is so, we ought too come so much the more soberly and advisedly thither as too Gods school, and […] as too a mans school, too hear the preaching. True it is, that we ught too examine the doctrine, and that we must not receive all things indifferently that are preached, nor at least wise be as brute eastes in that behalf, after the manner of the Papists, who term it simplicity, to be without, any understanding at all: but yet must we bear such honour too Gods name, that when the doctrine of the holy Scripture is set forth unto us we […] our self & from the world, and forsake our own reason, too submit our selves with true obedience