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…

Howbeit let us mark first of all, that he speaketh here after the common manner of the holy scripture. For we know there are no passions in God. It is the property of men too be sorry and grieved: God is unchangeable. Notwithstanding, because we conceive not the highness which is in him, and that his majesty is so infinite as we cannot come near it: therefore useth he that similitude, even for our rudeness sake. Therefore when as it is said, that God is provoked too wrath, it is not for that there is any moodiness in him: but too make us hate the evil, because we fight against God in transgressing his law, and that is all one as if we would provoke him too anger through our spitefulness. The scripture then meaneth not too make God subject too any change, when it saith, that he is angry or sorry: but it leadeth us too our own doings, too the intent that our vices should displease us so much the more, and that we should even abhor them. And here Saint Paul speaketh not only of Gods anger, but also saith, that the holy Ghost is sorry or grieved. And why? We be not Gods children (as he speaketh of it in the Epistle too the Romans,)¹ except his holy Ghost dwell in us. For are we worthy by nature, too be mustered in such array as too be fellows with the Angels? we (I say) which are but rottenness, and moreover cursed in Adam, and children of wrath? Howbeit, God by his holy spirit calleth us too this inestimable honour and dignity of being his children, so as we may call upon him as our father, and have familiar resort unto him.² That therefore is done by the holy Ghost: and for the same cause is he called the spirit of adoption: For the inheritance of heaven belongeth not too us, but in respect that we be Gods children. We be not so of our selves and by nature, as I told you: and therefore it followeth that it cometh of Gods freebestowed goodness. Now he sealeth up all this in our harts by his holy Ghost: and that is the cause why it is said, that we have a mortal body. The thing that is meant hereby, is not only our feet, hands, skin, bone, and flesh: but that there is a lump of corruption in us by reason of the dwelling of sin in us, which bringeth nothing but death. For have we lived any time?

Howbeeit let vs marke first of all, that he speaketh heere after the common maner of the holy scripture. For wee knowe there are no passions in God. It is the propertie of men too bee sorie and greeued: God is vnchaungeable. Notwithstanding, bycause wee conceyue not the hyghnesse which is in him, and that his maiestie is so infinite as wee cannot come neere it: therfore vseth he that similitude, euen for our rudenesse sake. Therfore when as it is sayd, that God is prouokod too wrath, it is not for that there is any moodinesse in him: but too make vs hate the euil, bycause we fyght agenist God in transgressing his lawe, and that is all one as if wee would prouoke him too anger through our spytefulnesse. The scripture then meaneth not too make God subiect too any chaunge, when it sayth, that he is angrie or sorie: but it leadeth vs too our owne dooings, too the intent that our vyces should displease vs so much the more, and that we should euen abhorre them. And heere Saint Paule speaketh not only of Gods anger, but also sayth, that the holy Ghoste is sorie or greeued. And why? Wee bee not Gods children (as he speaketh of it in the Epistle too the Romanes,)