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…

Now he addeth, that we must be followers of God, as well beloved children. For a man might yet reply, it is true that Gods mercy ought too ravish us all and too amaze us, and it is so wonderful a thing, that all our affections ought too be fastened upon it. But what for that? Are we able too be like unto God? No: for he is the fountain of all goodness, and we be lewd and untoward: yea, God hath the full perfection of all goodness in him, and there is not so much as one drop of it in our nature. No marvel then though we come nothing near him, ne have any resemblance or likeness unto him. Such reply (say I) might men have made, if S. Paul had not added this saying, Be ye followers of God: that is too say, follow ye him, let him be your example or pattern. For although God be the sovereign goodness it self, and that we have not any piece of us which tendeth not too evil: yet is it no sufficient excuse for us, that we should therefore be utterly against him, for that is a token that we belong nothing at all too him. Truly as in respect that we be but only men, Adams sin hath so alienated us from God: that thereout of spring malice, spitefulness, pride, excessive passions, and wicked desire of revenging: and it separateth us from God, in whom is the fullness of all goodness. Such are we from our mothers womb through Adams sin, as I said afore. But yet for all that, must we not needs change our kind, when it pleaseth God too reach us his hand, and too gather us too him, and too knit the things again in one, ⟨image 257⟩which were scattered asunder? (Yis.) And that is the cause why S. Paul sayeth, as Gods deer beloved children. Herein he showeth that we shall have our mouths shut, unless we answer God in goodness, by bearing one with another, according also as our Lord Jesus telleth us in S. Matthew.¹ Follow your heavenly father (sayeth he,) which maketh his sun too shine both upon good and bad. For too say that we be Gods children, too call upon him, too pretend the name of Christians: and yet in the mean while too be despisers of God, and too make as though we would defy him, by showing that we draw aloof from him: is it not utterly against kind? (Yes:)

Now he addeth, that vvee must bee follovvers of God, as vvell beloued children. For a man myght yit reply, it is trew that Gods mercy ought too rauish vs all and too amaze vs, and it is so woonderfull a thing, that all our affections ought too bee fastened vppon it. But what for that? Are wee able too bee lyke vntoo God? No: for he is the fountayne of all goodnesse, and wee bee leaud and vntoward: yea, God hath the full perfection of all goodnesse in him, and there is not so much as one drop of it in our nature. No maruell then though we come nothing neere him, ne haue any resemblance or lykenes vnto him. Such reply (say I) myght men haue made, if S. Paule had not added this saying, Bee yee follovvers of God: that is too say, follow yee him, let him bee your example or patterne. For although God be the souerein goodnesse it selfe, and that wee haue not any peece of vs which tendeth not too euill: yit is it no sufficient excuce for vs, that wee should therefore bee vtterly ageinst him, for that is a token that wee belong nothing at all too him. Truely as in respect that wee bee but onely men, Adams sinne hath so alienated vs from God: that theroutof spring malice, spytefulnesse, pryde, excessiue passions, and wicked desyre of reuenging: and it separateth vs from God, in whom is the fulnesse of all goodnesse. Such are wee from our moothers womb through Adams sinne, as I sayd afore. But yit for all that, must wee not needes chaunge our kynd, when it pleaseth God too reache vs his hand, and too gather vs too him, and too knit the things agein in one,