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 of this declaration we may receive a very profitable lesson in general: that is too wit, that the true and lawful use of Sacraments, is too lead us directly too our Lord Jesus Christ, and that otherwise we make them but as Idols. And (therefore) in popery Baptism is but as a Charm, because they think there is no salvation but by the water. I let pass the things that they have pu• to it of their own devising. For they have corrupted and marred the very institution of Jesus Christ, by mingling baptism with the superstitions that are known of. But let us put the case they used nothing else but the pure water: yet is it devilish opinion that Baptism is able of it self to ⟨image 304⟩save us. For by that means our Lord Jesus Christ is as good as thrust away, so as they make none account of him. For they stand poring upon the visible sign, and are (as ye would say) utterly doted upon it. In like case are they with all the rest of their Ceremonies. So much the more therefore doth it stand us on hand too bear this lesson in mind, That too apply the Sacraments too a right use, and too such use as God alloweth and ordaineth: they must guide us too our Lord Jesus Christ: Like as in Baptism, we see but the water: but thereby we must be lifted up higher to the blood of the Son of God, assuring our selves that it is not the water that maketh us clean, but that it is only a warrant of the washing that was gotten for us, when our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified for us. In the Supper we have bread and wine. Now to hold our selves to that which is set before out eyes, were a withdrawing of our selves from Jesus Christ. Our faith therefore must be lifted up, and conveyed too him in whom all the parts of our salvation are enclosed. Forasmuch then as we have the whole perfection and fullness of all good things in the only Son of God: it is thither that we must look up and labour too attain, when the Sacraments are set afore us, for that is the very office of them: or else we pervert all, and it is (as ye would say) an unhallowing of the thing that God hath hallowed too our benefit, if our Lord Jesus Christ be separated from the visible signs.

Now of this declaration wee may receyue a very profitable lesson in generall: that is too wit, that the trew and lawfull vse of Sacraments, is too leade vs directly too our Lord Iesus Christ, and that otherwyse wee make them but as Idols. And (therfore) in poperie Baptim is but as a Charme, bycause they think there is no saluation but by the water. I let passe the things that they haue pu to it of their owne deuyzing. For they haue corrupted and mard the very institution of Iesus Christ, by mingling baptim with the superstitions that are knowen of. But let vs put the cace they vsed nothing else but the pure water: yit is it diuelish opinion that Baptim is able of it self to