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…

Again, it is not without cause that Saint Paul matcheth the word and the washing of water together. For (as I have touched afore,) too be so drawn away by visible things, that in stead of […] up aloft, we be held down below: is too common a vice, and so deeply rooted in us, as it is very hard too be plucked up. God pitying mans weakness, hath at all times (as ye would say) […] ⟨p. 287⟩too them: not by changing his place, (for his being is infinite, and his majesty filleth both heaven and earth) but by making him self familiar unto them,¹ as if he were conversant with them. And for that cause did he term his temple his house, his dwelling place, & his rest, and (said) that he dwelt between the Cherubins: howbeit, that was not to harden the people in their superstitions. Too what end then? He meant too draw them to him by little and little, which were unable to come to him at the first dash. For where are the wings that we should sty above the clouds withal? But our faith must sty up above the heavens. So then, God meant too relieve mens infirmities, by Ceremonies, Sacraments, and such other things. But the vice on the contrary part hath showed it self too much, that is too wit, that men have taken occasion too hold themselves down, and too entangle themselves in Ceremonies: and whereas they should have lifted them up, they have abused them, by turning them too the clean contrary. And that is the cause also why the Prophets were continually occupied in rebuking the Jews, for that they thought that God had dwelt in the material temple. How now (sayeth Isaiah?) Hath not the Lord made all these things?² Hath he not created both the stones and the wood? And will you shut him up within them? Doth he not fill all the Heavens? and the earth is not able too contain him. And yet notwithstanding ye would lock him up in some Cabin of your own building. Whereby he showeth that it is too gross a folly for men too snarl themselves after that sort in visible figures, Ceremonies, and Sacraments, and too dwell upon them, whereas they should be led unto God. Now forasmuch as this hath reigned in all ages, Saint Paul too redress it, saith, that we have our washing warranted in Baptism, under the figure of water. Yea, but yet must we have an eye too the word, sayeth he.