Thirteen sermons of Master John Calvin, entreating of the free election of God in…Thirteene sermons of Maister Iohn Caluine, entreating of the free election of God in…

that his bare name deceive them not, too lull them a sleep in sin, and whilst they seek to comfort the oppressed, should likewise take heed that they strengthen not the wicked, to continue in their cursed security and fleshly liberty. It is very true that in Christ we have all things, but Christ withal his riches only belongs to his children, and to them he is applied with all his benefits, through a true and lively faith: and he hath sundry offices, to which, his must submit themselves. They must acknowledge his kingdom to be ruled by his word, and they must be subject to his law, who hath thoroughly and continually provided for their government. They must rest in that which he teacheth, because he is their only Prophet, their only Priest, in whose only sacrifice the father is pacified and well pleased. And Christ is the mark to whom the law leadeth, the end and perfection thereof, that they in him should walk in obedience. The last sort which are as ill as the worst, I mean either open or else close and crafty Heretics, they can as ill ⟨image 5⟩brook the sincere word of God as any of the others, bleating also against his government and discipline, because it restraineth, correcteth and bridleth their heretical opinions and manners. They allege overmuch severity, continually abusing his mercy, and like fantastical wretches, because they would be left to them selves to spew out their heresies, they continually bark against this wholesome correction and holy obedience. These fellows pick many quarrels, making it subject to the inconstant wills of Popes and ignorant Princes, as though it were a Shipman's hose, to be altered and changed at their pleasure. But alack they do but catch the wind in a net: For it must needs be that Christs sceptre bruise them, and it prevail. And specially they cannot abide such men as this good Calvin was, because he rubbed them on the gall, and brake even the skull (as I may say) of their heretical corruptions.

that his bare name deceaue them not, too lull them a sleepe in sinne, and whilst they seeke to comforte the oppressed, should likewise take heede that they strengthen not the wicked, to continue in their cursed securitie and fleshly libertie. It is very true that in Christ we haue all things, but Christ withall his riches onely belongs to his children, and to them hee is applyed with all his benefites, through a true and liuely faith: and he hath sundrye offices, to which, his must submit themselues. They muste acknowledge his kingdome to be ruled by his word, and they must be subiect to his lawe, who hath thorowly and continually prouided for their gouernment. They must rest in that which he teacheth, because he is their onely Prophet, their onely Prieste, in whose onely sacrifice the father is pacifyed and well pleased. And Christe is the marke to whome the lawe leadeth, the end and perfection thereof, that they in him should walke in obedience. The last sorte which are as ill as the worst, I meane either open or else close and craftie Heretiques, they can as ill