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 forasmuch as this doctrine is so ill put in ure everywhere, we ought to think the better of it. If a man consider how great emptiness there is in them that profess Christianity: (he shall find that) they can scarcely say three words too yield confession of their faith, for had they any in their hearts, surely their mouths would utter it, according too this saying,¹ that we believe with the hart unto righteousness, and confess with the mouth unto salvation. Howbeit, if we be desirous too be filled: we need not too be counselled too go seek the things that we need: we need but only too receive ⟨p. 271⟩the food that is proffered us and set afore us. Yea, and this serveth well too upbraid us with our lewdness, in that we vouchsafe not too go unto God though he call us, nor too make account of that which he offereth us. We will not forget too eat and too drink for refreshing of our bodies: and yet that will not content us neither: for we could find in our hearts too cobble up (as ye would say) the whole world. Yet notwithstanding even the soberest are willing too have their ordinary repast. The other sort do cram in meat and drink a four or five times a day, and in the mean while the wretched souls of them are hungry still. Therefore we must bear in mind that the warning which Saint Paul giveth us here, telleth us, that too be sober and well ruled, and too use measurably the benefits that God bestoweth upon us: the soul must not be forgotten, but we must feed upon the spiritual gifts, too lead us too the heavenly life, and too maintain us in the hope thereof, until the full possession and fruition thereof be given us at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now forasmuch as this doctrine is so yll put in vre euerywhere, we ought to thinke the better of it. If a mā consider how great emptinesse there is in them that professe Christianitie: (he shall fynde that) they can scarsly say three woordes too yeeld confession of their fayth, for had they any in their hartes, surely their mouthes would vtter it, according too this saying,¹ that wee beleeue with the hart vntoo ryghtuousnesse, and confesse with the mouth vntoo saluation. Howbeeit, if wee bee desyrous too bee filled: wee neede not too bee counselled too go seeke the things that wee neede: wee neede but onely too receyue