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 here we be warned, first too hold our selves too the pure doctrine which we know too have proceeded from God: for we cannot do amiss if we follow that rule. And because that in our Lord Jesus Christ we have the performance of all that is requisite and needful for our instruction, so as we need not too doubt whither we may hold us too the Gospel, or add somewhat too it: Let us be contented too take the son of God for our master, specially such he vouchsafeth too stoop so low as too take that charge upon him, and also protesteth that if we have profited well in his doctrine, we shall come too the true mark whereunto we should go. Ye see then that the first less•n which we have too gather upon this text, is that our faith must not waver one way nor other, but have a sure and unmoveable foundation too rest upon, that is too wit, Gods truth, even as it is contained in the Gospel. And seeing that S. Paul is sufficiently avowed unto us: let us not doubt but Gods spirit speaketh too us at this day by his mouth, neither let us here the doctrine as though it were subject too our judgement: but let us imprison our own unders•••ding & wits, and receive it without scanning, except we will wilfully make war against God, and advance our selves above him. And so, that is one of the things which we have too mark upon this text. Furthermore too the end that this doctrine may not only be reverenced among us, but also be amiable too us: let us mark that S. Paul speaketh in the name of Christ, who was sent unto us of God his father, too bring us glad tidings of peace: and also let us bear in mind how he sayeth in another text,¹ that he was ordained too bring the message of atonement, and beseecheth men in Gods name too be reconciled too God. Now I told you that this was done too make the doctrine of the ⟨p. 3⟩Gospel sweet, that we might be desirous of it and give our selves […] too it. For whensoever it is told us that God speaketh too us: […] it is enough too authorize all that he shall speak: but yet might […] at his voice, and therewithal be weary of it, according […] see a great mu•ber confess well enough that God deserveth […] obeyed, and too have all men subject to him: but in the mean […] they start away, and shun him as far as they can, because his […] maketh them afraid.