A17705:676
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…
The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the Ephesians. Translated out of French into English by Arthur GoldingThe sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the Ephesians. Translated out of French into English by Arthur Golding
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Lucas Harison, 1577
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Too express this the better, he addeth, that it is he by whom the •hole body is knit and joined together by his joints, and that it is he which furnisheth it with substance and life, according too the measure and portion of every member: & that when this is done, then the body is well proportioned: howbeit that love must reign among us, or else there shall be nothing but confusion: insomuch that if there be greatness, it will be over huge, so as it shall not be a natural body, but rather a monster. Now in saying that we receive our growing of Jesus Christ, that it is he of whom the knitting of the body proceedeth, and that it is he also by whom we be maintained in life: he showeth us our unthankfulness, in that we yield him not the honour which he deserveth. For must it not needs be that we are too lewd, when the Son of God giveth us all things, and yet we will bereave him the honour which he requireth, for showing himself so bountiful towards us? He desireth not that we should yield him any recompense, neither can we, neither is it needful: but yet he will be glorified. Now then seeing we be so enriched by him, and we notwithstanding do fall too robbing him of his honour, so as he is defrauded and bereft of it: must it not needs be that we be worse than devilish? Wherefore let us mark well whereat S. Paul aimed: for he intended here too reprove the world of too lewd an unthankfulness, for not yielding our Lord Jesus Christ his dew honour, insomuch as he is not exalted among us, neither do we think upon him, neither do we place him in chief sovereignty, that all men might do him homage. And therewithal he showeth also, that we be almost out of our wits when we honour not Jesus Christ, ne exalt him as we ought to do. For there is not that man which doth not naturally covet his own profit. Now then, in forsaking of Jesus Christ, we seem to have conspired & sworn our own confusion, that we might be bereft of all his grace, & be as rotten members without strength. For he is as the head of a mans body, & as the root of a •ree: it is he from whom all our life & sustenance proceedeth. Now then if the hands, the feet, the belly, the stomach, the legs, & all the rest of the members should conspire together to say, let us forsake the hea•: What should •hey win by ⟨image 213⟩it?