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 out of all doubt he on his side had so […] grace, as ought to have moved even the very stones. And yet […], a great sort continued in their unbelief and stubbornness, ⟨image 28⟩and othersome believed. Now S. Luke sayeth plainly that the cause thereof was not for that the one sort were more forward folk than the other, or for that there was any towardness of virtue more in the one than in the other: but for that God had foreordained them too salvation. Therefore at one word, we see that all mans deserving must cease and be laid under foot, or else God shall not have his deserved praise. Yea and we must understand, that faith cometh not of our selves: for if it did, then should there be some worthiness in our works. True it is, that by faith we confess that there is nothing but wretchedness in us, that we be damned and accursed, and that we bring not aught with us but only an acknowledgement of our sins. But yet should our faith serve for some desert, if we had it of our own breeding. We must therefore conclude, that it is impossible for men too believe, unless it be given them from above. And surely S. Paul declareth here a thing well worthy too be marked, when he sayeth, blessed be God. And for what cause? Even for enriching us in such wise in Jesus Christ, that our life is happy and blessed. And afterward he addeth, according too his choosing of us. Is not faith comprehended among the spiritual riches whereof S. Paul maketh mention? Yes, and (which is more) it is the chief of them. For it is by faith that we receive the holy Ghost, it is by faith that we become patient in our adversities,¹ it is by faith that we become obedient too God, it is by faith that we be sanctified to his service. Too be short, faith continueth always chief of the spiritual benefits that God bestoweth upon us. Now let us remember well S. Pauls order. He saith that God hath given us faith as well as any of all the rest, according too his choosing of us. We see then that faith dependeth upon Gods election, or else we must make S. Paul a liar. And so as touching the first point, ye see that all such as cannot abide to have predestination plainly and openly spoken of, are deadly enemies of Gods grace, and would deface it too the uttermost of their power. For (as I said afore) the hiding thereof were the overthrowing of all religion.

and out of all doubt he on his side had so 〈…〉 grace, as ought to haue moued euen the very stones. And yit , a great sort continued in their vnbeleefe and stubbornnesse,