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…

Wherefore when we look upon Gods works, let us learn not too think he did the things at abraid (as men say) which were erst •id from us: but let us reserve his secret purpose too himself, and when we see the things come too pass, let us understand, that it must needs have bin so, because God had purposed upon it. And this serveth too humble us by all means: First too make us know the smallness of our capacity, that we may reverence the things which pass the reach of ou• wit. And secondly, we have also wherewith too hold us in suspense as concerning the execution of Gods ordinance: for we cannot gi•e sentence of things too come, without fond rashness, and God will laugh us too scorn, according as we see how all such as take upon them too prophesy (at leastwise of their own head, and without Gods calling of them to that office) bewray their own shamelessness, and are worthy too be mocked of little children. Ye see then that it becometh us too restrain our judgments, in the things which our Lord hath not disclosed by effect, and that when we see the things come too pass, we must understand, that therein he doeth not any thing at adventure, but had ordained it so before. And after the same manner must we judge of the change that was seen at the time that our Lord Jesus was sent into the world. If it be demanded why God delayed it so long time: men advance themselves too much in such curiosity. If it be demanded why the heathen were then matched with the Jews, and set in equal degree with them, seeing t•at God had cut them of from his Church afore: we must also honour this secret ordinance, whereof Saint Paul speaketh here. And therewithal let us understand that God had so determined it afore. Could we have that sobriety with us, we should learn too profit our selves much better by Gods works, than do these heathenish ⟨p. 124⟩folk, which bark at them, though they cannot byte them. And now adays we see that many are stirred up with devilish rage, to murmur against all Gods doings, because they conceive not the reason of his purpose, insomuch that thereupon they spew out their horrible blasphemies, as who should say, it were not free for God too reserve any thing too himself, but must call men too counsel, and make himself their underling.

Wherfore when wee looke vppon Gods workes, let vs learne not too thinke he did the things at abrayd (as men say) which were erst id from vs: but let vs reserue his secret purpose too himself, and when we see the things come too passe, let vs vnderstand, that it must needes haue bin so, bycause God had purpozed vppon it. And this serueth too humble vs by all meanes: First too make vs knowe the smalnesse of our capacitie, that we may reuerence the things which passe the reach of ou wit. And secondly, wee haue also wherwith too hold vs in suspence as concerning the execution of Gods ordinance: for wee cannot gie sentence of things too come, without fond rashnesse, and God will laugh vs too scorne, according as wee see how all such as take vppon them too prophesie (at lestwyse of theyr owne heade, and without Gods calling of them to that office) bewray their owne shamelessenesse, and are worthie too bee mocked of little children. Yee see then that it becommeth vs too restreyne our iudgmentes, in the things which our Lord hath not disclozed by effect, and that when wee see the thinges come too passe, wee must vnderstand, that therin he dooeth not any thing at aduenture, but had ordeyned it so before. And after the same manner must wee iudge of the chaunge that was seene at the tyme that our Lord Iesus was sent intoo the world. If it bee demaunded why God delayed it so long tyme: men aduaunce themselues too much in such curiositie. If it bee demaunded why the heathen were then matched with the Iewes, and set in equall degree with them, seing tat God had cut them of from his Church afore: we must also honour this secret ordinance, whereof Saint Paule speaketh heere. And therwithall let vs vnderstand that God had so determined it afore. Could wee haue that sobrietie with vs, wee should learne too profite our selues much better by Gods woorkes, than doo these heahenish