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…

Herewithall let us mark, that God by that means intended too set the greater glory upon his mercy: for when in the end he published the doctrine of his Gospel, then did he utter the infinite riches of his goodness towards us. And although we know not all the reasons that God had in his mind, when he deferred and put off the publishing of his Gospel so long time: yet notwithstanding it is very easy for us too judge, that he intended too open our eyes, and too waken us, and ⟨image 133⟩too quicken up all our wits, too the end that every of us should apply himself the better, too know how much we be beholden and bound unto him. For are we better than our fathers? Or when the Gospel was published through the world, were the Gentiles more teachable than before? No: but it seemed that wickedness was then come too his full measure, so as there was nothing but contempt of God. Now when the world was so devilish throughout, then came Jesus Christ, then was the message of salvation brought too all men. Yea and when S. Paul (speaking to the Corinthians) had told them that Murderers,¹ whoremongers, drunkards, Thieves, forswearers, and such like folk, yea which had committed yet more heinous crimes, should not inherit the kingdom of heaven: he saith unto them, you also have bin like them: too show that the Gospel was not preached at Corinth, for any virtues that were there, nor for that the inhabitants had bin more given unto God, or deserved aught at all: but all proceeded of Gods only free goodness. Thus ye see that the secret which S. Paul speaketh of, is too be applied after this manner: namely that it was Gods will that there should be sin in all men without exception, the remedy whereof he hath sent by his grace. Likewise also we in our time cannot say, that we be better then our forefathers, as I told you before. For if ye have an eye too the common state, there was more faithfulness among men a fifty years ago, than is now: there was more modest conversation: there was less excess and superfluity of pomp: and too be short, men were not like Dogs and Cats, as they be now adays. It is true, that they had always a smatch of their own nature, which is nothing worth: but yet Satan seemed too be then chained up.

Herewithall let vs mark, that God by that meanes intended too set the greater glory vppon his mercie: for when in the end he publyshed the doctrine of his Gospell, then did he vtter the infinite riches of his goodnesse towardes vs. And although wee knowe not all the reasons that God had in his mynd, when he deferred and put off the publishing of his Gospell so long tyme: yit notwithstaing it is very eazie for vs too iudge, that he intended too open our eyes, and too waken vs, and