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…

For if there were no teaching, too show us that we find the things in our Lord Jesus Christ, which are represented too us in Baptism, and that it is in his person that we have the full performance and assuredness of them: certainly Baptism would turn us away from God, and it were better too have none at all. For it were an evil thing, if we should be withdrawn from the Son of God, too give our selves too the corruptible world. Therefore let us be well ware that we separate not the Sacraments from the word at any time. And hereby we see what Christianity there is in a number of folk. For all is well with them, if they be Baptized, neither ⟨image 306⟩consider they that the having of the sign without the promise added too it, is but a deceivable & unprofitable thing. Whereto serveth a seal when it is set but too a piece of Leather, or too bare parchment, paper, or cloth? Surely it were too no purpose: for it ought too confirm and ratify some Evidence, whether it be of gift or otherwise. So is it with the Sacraments, when they be not matched with the word. A man shall see a seal there, howbeit too no purpose, for he shall see no benefit come of it. And surely they that continue still doted in their ignorance, because they were Baptized as soon as they came into the world: do show therein too lewd an unthankfulness: for they falsify Gods truth, as much as they can. If a man should counterfeit a Seal, it were felony, though it were but in a case of five shillings. But they that are so drowned in their ignorance, as they cannot abide to be drawn out of it: are falsifiers and forgers in a thing that is more worth than all the world. For here the case concerneth the ratifying of the things that have bin purchased us by the death and passion of the Son of God, as hath bin declared already.

For if there were no teaching, too shewe vs that wee fynd the things in our Lord Iesus Christ, which are represented too vs in Baptim, and that it is in his person that wee haue the full performance and assurednesse of them: certeinly Baptim would turne vs away from God, and it were better too haue none at all. For it were an euill thing, if wee should bee withdrawen from the sonne of God, too giue our selues too the corruptible world. Therefore let vs bee well ware that wee separate not the Sacramentes from the word at any tyme. And hereby wee see what Christianitie there is in a number of folke. For all is well with them, if they bee Baptyzed, nother ⟨image 306⟩