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…

Seeing then that a number do so far overshoot them selves through that villainous pride, to thrust God as it were under their feet: it standeth us the more on hand too put this doctrine in ure, that we may reverence Gods secret ordinance, and therewithal receive the things that are uttered unto us, without gainsaying, as good and rightful, and done with such wisdom, as is not too be found fault with.

Seing then that a number doo so farre ouershoot thē selues through that villanous pryde, to thrust God as it were vnder their feete: it standeth vs the more on hand too put this doctrine in vre, that wee may reuerence Gods secret ordinance, and therwithall receyue the things that are vttered vnto vs, without geynsaying, as good and ryghtfull, and doone with such wysdome, as is not too bee founde fault with.

And now Saint Paul thinks it not enough to say, that God had his secret purpose hidden in himself: but also sayeth, that his vvill was, that this wisdom which is divers in many sorts, should be known. This title deserveth too be well marked, where he saith, that Gods wisdom is (as ye would say) of divers sorts. Not that God is variable and changeable in himself, nor that there is any snarling or entangling in his devices: there is no such thing at all in God, neither can there be: but Saint Pauls speaking after that manner, is in respect of our understanding. Therefore if we would comprehend Gods wisdom, we should be confounded and dazzled at it, because it is infinite: and besides that, it hath things in it which are able too amaze all our senses, yea and too swallow them quite up, so as we should never discern any thing certainly, too say, Lo, this is it. But this had need too be laid out more at length, that we may understand it, and fare the better by it. Now and then we see some looking glasses, wherein we think we behold a hundred, yea or rather an infinite number of images before us: and when we see them, we be at our wits end. After the same manner hath Saint Paul spoken here of Gods wisdom, namely, as giving us warning of the weakness and rudeness that is in our understanding, too the intent we should not be too inquisitive in searching the things that pass our capacity, and the matters that God hath purposed in himself. Then if we will needs so sty up higher than is lawful for us, and thrust our selves forward with foolish presumption, too be privy of Gods counsel, and too inquire particularly what he hath determined: