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…

Now therefore when we find any thing in the Gospel that shall seem hard and uneasy too brook, let us not do as a number of madfolks do, which reject whatsoever is not too their own liking: but (as I said) let us reverence the thing that is hid from us as yet, waiting till God further us, and come familiarly too us, and increase the measure of our faith. And so ye see how that in reading of the holy scripture, we must have the modesty too hold our selves in awe, (and too say thus:) I understand not such a text: but yet is it not for me too give it over so, as though it were too no purpose: and therefore I will pray God too bear with mine ignorance, and too open me the gate when he sees •it time, and that he which hath the key of all knowledge and understanding, will show me so much as he thinks meet, and as may be for my benefit. Again, likewise when we come too a Sermon, if we understand not all th•• is spoken too us, let us stay our ⟨p. 115⟩selves, and in the mean while honour our God, and reverence him in the things that are too high for our wit too reach unto. And herein we see, that such as would stop the mouths of all Gods true servants, that they should not speak of the things that seem too high for them, are very devils incarnate. For what a madness is it, that because we understand not why God hath chosen some, and forsaken othersome, how God governeth the world, that the devil himself cannot do any thing without leave, that the wicked are the instruments of Gods Justice: we worms of the earth, and stinking carrions should take such authority upon us, as too say, that the thing ought too be razed out of the holy Scripture, which not only was revealed too us by the holy Ghost, but also sealed with the blood of Gods son? Must it not needs be that they are wholly possessed of the devil, when they presume so far? Therefore let us abhor such monsters, & pray God too lay his hand upon them, and too show that they be no better than lice, fleas, punices, and other the most vile and despised things of the world, when they fall too jostling so against God, even with tyrannical and passing barbarous fury. But as for our part, let us understand that the honour which we owe too our God, is this:

Now therfore when wee fynd any thing in the Gospell that shall seeme hard and vneasie too brucke, let vs not doo as a number of madfolks doo, which reiect whatsoeuer is not too their owne lyking: but (as I sayd) let vs reuerence the thing that is hid from vs as yit, wayting till God further vs, and come familiarly too vs, and increae the measure of our fayth. And so ye se how that in reading of the holie scripure, wee must haue the modestie too hold our selues in awe, (and too say thus:) I vnderstand not such a text: but yit is it not for mee too giue it ouer so, as though it were too no purpose: and therfore I will pray God too beare with myne ignorance, and too open mee the gate when he sees it tyme, and that he which hath the kye of all knowledge and vnderstanding, will shew mee so much as he thinkes meete, and as may bee for my benefite. Agein, lykewise when wee come too a Sermon, if wee vnderstnde not all th is spoken too vs, let vs stay our