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…

Too be short, whereas God had showed himself our enemy, he became our father: and whereas the things that were created too our use, had vin turned away by Adams sin: all was restored again at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, by that means he gathered all things together again,¹ that had bin scattered asunder before, and then was the world after a sort changed, as the Prophets had spoken of it afore. For although they meant not too incloze the said renewment within any certain time: yet notwithstanding when they preached of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the grace that should be given to the Church at that time, they used such speech as this: Behold, I make the heavens new, and the earth new. After that manner doth God speak by the Prophet Isaiah: and it is not only once, but it is, as ye would say, a common speech among all the prophets. Now then, Saint Paul following the common phrase of the Scripture, saith, that all things were created new again in Jesus Christ: howbeit that is in respect of the Church. The world it self was not renewed: but as in respect of us, we be partakers already of the re•••rement that is promised us. For by our Lord Jesus Christ ⟨p. 127⟩we enjoy Gods creatures whereof we were deprived afore. Whereas the sun and moon shine upon us, and we be nourished by the sustenance of the earth: we know that those things belong unto us, because we be Gods children. And how is that? Even because he hath adopted us in Jesus Christ. For the matter which we have sung in the Psalm concerning man,² must be applied to the person of Gods son, as sayeth Saint Paul himself, who is a faithful expounder. Not that he restraineth it too him alone:³ but forasmuch as the things which he speaketh concerning the uncorruptnesse of mankind, is not too be found in it now, but all is marred and corrupted: therefore we must be fain too repair too our head, by whom we be set in good plight again. So then, we could not be blessed of God, neither in our mea•e nor in our drink, nor in the enjoying of any of all his creatures, were it not for the restorement that is made by our Lord Jesus Christ, and that he hath caused the world too be given us henceforth in heritage, too the end we might with a good and clear conscience, enjoy all the gifts which he hath bestowed upon us.