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 also too note, that we communicate not with Jesus Christ, but by the grace of the holy Ghost. Yet notwithstanding let us not hold scorn of the helps that our Lord hath ordained for us, because he knew them too be requisite for our infirmities sake. Why be we not taught simply, that if we run too our Lord Jesus Christ, in him we shall find our washing and cleansing? It seemeth that that ought too suffice us, and that the water of Baptism is but a veil too keep us from coming unto Jesus Christ. Yea, but let us see a little what our own •udenesse is. If we had the minds of Angels, we should no more need this outward Baptism, than the Angels do. But forasmuch as we be earthly, and it is hard for us too attain unto God, and the secretes of his heavenly kingdom: it is for our behoof too be helped after that fashion. And it is a wonderful gracious goodness of God, that he stoopeth so too our infirmity, and supplieth it with mee•e and convenient remedies. So little then doth ⟨p. 286⟩Baptism hinder us from coming too the Son of God, (so we be able too apply it too our behoof,) or keep our faith from aiming at him: that without it we should be held down still here, and waver continually as floating in water. But when we see how water is cast upon the child's head, there we ought too mind the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and too consider that like as water washeth away the filth of the body, so the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is the very cleansing of our souls.

Wee haue also too note, that wee communicate not with Iesus Christ, but by the grace of the holy Ghost. Yit notwithstanding let vs not hold scorne of the helpes that our Lord hath ordeyned for vs, bycause he knewe them too bee requisite for our infirmities sake. Why be we not taught simply, that if wee runne too our Lord Iesus Christ, in him wee shall fynde our washing and clenzing? It seemeth that that ought too suffyze vs, and that the water of Baptim is but a vayle too keepe vs from comming vntoo Iesus Christ. Yea, but let vs see a little what our owne •udenesse is. If wee had the myndes of Angels, wee should no more neede this outward Baptim, than the Angels do. But forasmuch as wee bee earthly, and it is hard for vs too atteyne vntoo God, and the secretes of his heauenly kingdome: it is for our behoofe too bee helped after that fashion. And it is a wonderfull gracious goodnesse of God, that he stoopeth so too our infirmitie, and supplyeth it with meee and conuenient remedyes. So little then dooth