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…

And S. Paul having spoken so of the good will that we ought […] bear towards our neighbours, returneth too his matter of faith. ⟨p. 143⟩And surely the chief point for us, is too know that God avoweth us for his children, and that our sins are forgiven us, so as he taketh us for righteous. If we have not that, how can we find any sweetness in serving and honouring of him? And how or with what courage can we pray to him? What praise can we offer to him? Too be short, it standeth us on hand too be certified of the infinite good that is done us by our Lord Jesus Christ, too the end we may be ravished in love with our God, and inflamed with a right zeal to obey him, and hold our selves short under his awe, too honour him with all our thoughts, with all our affections, and with all our hearts. The cause then why S. Paul continueth this matter, is to print it in the minds of the faithful, where their salvation lieth, and how they may be sure of it. And so much the more do we see what the wretchedness of the world is. For there is none other assurance, than the calling upon God on this groundwork, so as a man be lifted up by faith too offer himself into his presence. But on the contrary part, we see how men have gone too work. And in deed they have not bin ashamed in the popedom, too say, that we ought too be always doubtful of our salvation, and that we cannot have a sure belief of it. And it is not the ignorant sort which say so: but all the doctors of their Synagogues hold it for an article of their faith, that we ought too be always in a mammering and doubtful. And that is even as much as too cast men up at adventure unto Satan. So much the more therefore behoveth it us too bear well in mind the doctrine that is contained here, that is to wit, that when we once know the love that God beareth us in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in such wise as he hath witnessed it too us by his death and passion, and doth still daily warrant it by his Gospel: we have the perfect knowledge, and such as shall give us full happiness. And that is the cause why he sayeth, too the end ye may learn with all the Saints, what his height, & depth, and wideness, and thickness is: that ye may know all this, sayeth he. How now? Meant S. Paul too make us Carpenters or Masons, that he speaketh here as of the height of a building?

And S. Paule hauing spoken so of the good will that wee ought 〈…〉 beare towardes our neyghbours, returneth too his matter of fayth. ⟨p. 143⟩