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 have seen this morning how large matter of glorifying the infinite goodness of our God we have, if we consider by what means he hath drawn us from death, and taken us for his children, notwithstanding that we were cursed afore in Adam. And now Saint Paul setteth forth how we be made partakers of the grace that is purchased for us by our Lord Jesus Christ: namely by being washed and cleansed from our spots, too the end too be dedicated too his service in all holiness. Also he addeth the washing of water, because Baptism is a visible figure and record unto us, according too our rudeness and infirmity, too make us the better too perceive the grace of our God, which passeth all understanding of man. Now first of all there is the word Sanctify, which importeth that we should be separated from the world, too be knit unto the Son of God. And this doctrine is such, as we can never know it enough. For (as I have said afore) we must always compare the state wherein God findeth us, with the state whereto he calleth us: For from our mothers womb we […] nothing but utter wretchedness, we be cursed and detestabl•••fore God. Therefore he draweth us out of the dungeon of death: from thence doth he gather us up too himself. And by the word Sanctify, S. Paul meaneth the change which ought as it were too ravish and too astonish us, as oft as we consider what we were, and what we should be still if God pitied us not.

WEe haue seene this morning how large matter of glorifying the infinite goodnesse of our God wee haue, if wee consider by what meanes he hathe drawen vs from death, and taken vs for his children, notwithstanding that wee were cursed afore in Adam. And now Saint Paule setteth foorth how wee bee made parttakers of the grace that is purchaced for vs by our Lord Iesus Christ: namely by being wafshed and clenzed from our spottes, too the end too bee dedicated too his seruice in all holynesse. Also he addeth the wasshing of water, bycause Baptim is a visible figure and record vntoo vs, according too our rudenesse and infirmitie, too make vs the better too perceyue the grace of our God, which passeth all vnderstanding of man. Now first of al there is the woord Sanctify, which importeth that we should bee separated from the world, too bee knit vntoo the sonne of God. And this doctrine is such, as wee can neuer knowe it ynough. For (as I haue sayd afore) wee must alwayes compare the state wherein God fyndeth vs, with the state wheretoo he calleth vs: For from our moothers womb wee 〈…〉 nothing but vtter wretchednesse, wee bee cursed and detestablfore God. Therefore he draweth vs out of the dungeon of death: from thence dooth he gather vs vp too himselfe. And by the woord Sanctifie, S. Paule meaneth the chaunge which ought as it were too rauish and too astonish vs, as oft as wee consider what wee were, and what wee should bee styll if God pitied vs not.