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…

Furthermore, we must mark well what S. Paul addeth, concerning the knowing of the son of God. For therein he showeth us the sum of our faith: which is, not too wander too and fro, but too know what Jesus Christ is, what at his power is, and what benefits he bringeth us. That is the true perfectness of faith. Therefore I said, that it is a notable point. For we see how the wretched world hath bin misled and beguiled heretofore, and still is in the popedom, where they which have some devoutness, torment themselves greatly, and take pains too inquire of this and that, always full of hartbytings, always full of questionings, and yet are still of that sort, whom S. Paul reporteth too be ever learning,¹ and never a whit the wiser. S. Paul speaketh there of these Hypocrites which despise the simplicity of the Gospel, and turn away from Jesus Christ, too follow• their own foolish inventions. They will have their speculations on either side, and they will take pain enough: but yet shall they never be the wiser.² For inasmuch as all the treasures of wisdom and understanding are laid up in Jesus Christ, we must aim at him: in him only shall we find the whole substance of our salvation. When we once know that Jesus Christ is given us of God his father,³ too reconcile us by his death and passion: when we once know• that it is he only in whom we must seek our righteousness, when we once know that we be washed from all spots and uncleanness by his blood, that he hath made satisfaction for all our debts wherein we were indebted, that he by his holy spirit hath sanctified us and dedicated us too the service of God,⁴ and that he is our advocate too make us find favour in all our prayers and supplications: I say, when w•e ⟨p. 185⟩once know this: we may despise all the things which the other sort think themselves too know, & which they have imagined without any certainty. For that cause therefore doth S. Paul add here expressly the knowing of the son of God, too the end to define the better what the word Faith importeth. For it runneth roundly enough in mens mouths: and every man will say he believeth: but in the mean while, if these men which vaunt themselves with full mouth too be as pillars of the Church, and as good catholics as may be, (as the world sees well enough,) be demanded what faith is: they stop short of it.