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…

we go away into dust and cinder, and there is not that man which seeth not himself already besieged with a hundred deaths, ⟨image 248⟩considering the diseases and infirmities whereunto we be subject. Again, age makes us to stoop, so as we perceive a long while aforehand how we be summoned too come too our grave. Seeing then that we perceive such a number of deaths all at once together in our bodies, and a much great dungeon in our souls: how should we hope that God would take us up into his kingdom? But Saint Paul saith, that the spirit is life. If there be but one grain or one spark of the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ in us: let us assure our selves that we shall be partakers of his glory: for it is said, that he is raised again from the dead, and hath gotten the upper hand of it by his holy spirit. After that manner are we quickened with him, waiting till we be delivered from all the corruptible nature that compasseth us about. And now S. Paul sayeth, that we be sealed by the holy Ghost,¹ as is said of it, in the first chapter heretofore, and in other places beside, as in the second to the Corinthians. And this similitude is very fit. For although Gods promises ought to be of sufficient authority, & to have full credit with us of themselves: yet notwithstanding, such is our misbelief, that we cannot give credit too them, nor rest upon them, till they be confirmed, and warranted unto us, so as we may say, behold, it is even God himself that speaketh. But what for that? On the one side we be forepossessed with distrust: & on the other side we be always doubtful and misgiving, and cannot rest upon the things that are told us in Gods name. By reason whereof his promises are always unavailable, until he print them in our harts, which thing he doeth by his holy Ghost. For as a piece of evidence is made authentical by setting too of the seal: so God warranteth his promises of our salvation in our harts, by signing and sealing of them there with his holy spirit. That then is the cause why it is so often said, that Gods spirit sealeth up the inheritance of our salvation in our harts. And for the same cause also is he named the earnest penny, in another place.²

wee go away intoo dust and cindre, and there is not that man which seeth not himself alredye beeseeged with a hundred deaths, ⟨image 248⟩