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…

Intends he to teach us th• science of Masonry, that he speaketh thus of wideness? No: but he openeth his own meaning by & by, saying: It is the Love that hath bin showed us in Jesus Christ. Therefore when we once know how well God loveth us, and how inestimable the mercy is, whereof he hath given us so good a pledge, in the person of his only son: we have all that can ⟨image 162⟩be, sayeth he. Let us enforce all our wits both upward and downward, let us sty above the clouds, let us pierce too the Centre of the earth, let us go down too the bottoms of the deeps, and let us rake over sea and land, yet shall there be nothing but vanity and leasing. When we have ended all our windlasses, surely we may peradventure discourse like folk that are very subtle, & have learned the understanding of many things: but yet shall there be no substance in us. But when we once know that God is our father in Jesus Christ, and how that cometh too pass, and by what means we obtain so great a benefit: that is the thing (sayeth he) whereto we must hold us. For it is the true measure of our faith, they be the bonds of it, and whosoever covers too know more, doth but go astray, as though he would wilfully enter into a maze, whereout of he could never wind himself again. Wherefore let us hold our selves contented with Jesus Christ as he is, and as he uttereth himself by his Gospel, and then shall we be filled full, sayeth S. Paul. With what filling? Even with the fullness of God, sayeth he. As if he should say, Wretched folk as we be, there is none of us but he coveteth knowledge, and it is a natural desire which burneth all men. Insomuch that we shall see many which consume all their goods, and spare neither their bodies nor their lives. And what too do? Too get knowledge. We shall see othersome trot from place too place. And what too do? Too get knowledge. All men then have that desire, some more, and some less, and there is not so ignorant a person, which would not fain come too knowledge. Now then, seeing we be all inclined thereto of nature: let us learn which is the true knowledge. In deed there are sciences which are behoofefull too pass this world withal, and requisite it is that men should have arts and trades, and also the liberal sciences, as they be termed. All these are good, if they be referred too their dew ends.

Intendes he to teach vs th• science of Masourie, that he speaketh thus of wydenesse? No: but he openeth his owne meaning by & by, saying: It is the Loue that hath bin shevved vs in Iesus Christ. Therfore when wee once knowe how well God loueth vs, and how inestimable the mercie is, wherof he hath giuen vs so good a pledge, in the person of his only sonne: wee haue all that can