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…

And lo also what this word, Profane importeth: for it is contrary to the word Holy. And what meaneth this word Holy? To be holy, is when we are separated and put a part to serve God: For all the world is full of filthiness and iniquity, as Saint Paul saith. And when we shall have our conversation ⟨image 65⟩here beneath after the common manner, this is to defile our selves with all filthiness. But to th• end we may be holden for the children of God, it behoveth that we be separated even as S. Paul speaketh thereof, in the first chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians. It behoveth that God gather us unto himself. For if we walk among thorns, that is but to scratch us every minute▪ if we go through dirt and clay, that is to beray us. It behoveth them that we be separated. But (as I have said) the word Profane is contrary and opposite unto this. Wh•• ••en must we do? This is it, that a man take good •eede to himself: yea, even to his body. For even like as there are two parts in us, to wit, the body and the soul: so the spiritual life is, when we know whereunto God hath called us, and whereunto he daily biddeth us: to wit, that we should be heirs of the kingdom of heaven: See what it is to sanctify our selves, as it is said Purify your selves, yea all you that bear the Lords vessels. And S. Paul alleging this place saith: Having therefore such promises. That is, that God accounteth us for his servants & children: Let us take heed that we cleanse our selves from all filthiness, aswell of the body as the soul. But behold Esau, who hath no care but for his belly, and that he showeth very well when he saith: Behold I haste to death, & what shall this birthright avail me?

And loe also what this worde, Prophane importeth: for it is contrary to the word Holy. And what meaneth this word Holy? To be holy, is when wee are separated and put a parte to serue God: For all the worlde is ful of filthines and iniquitie, as Saint Paule saith. And when we shall haue our conuersation ⟨image 65⟩heere beneath after the common manner, this is to defile our selues with all filthynesse. But to th end we may be holden for the children of God, it behoueth that we bee separated euen as S. Paule speaketh therof, in the first chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians. It behoueth that God gather vs vnto himselfe. For if we walke among thornes, that is but to scratch vs euery minute if we goe through durte and clay, that is to beray vs. It behoueth thē that we be seperated. But (as I haue said) the worde Prophane is contrary and opposite vnto this. Wh en must we do? This is it, that a man take good eede to himself: yea, euen to his body. For euē like as there are two parts in vs, to wit, the body and the soule: so the spirituall life is, when we know whervnto God hath called vs, and whervnto he dayly biddeth vs: to wit, that we should be heyres of the kingdome of heauen: See what it is to sanctifie our selues, as it is said Purifie your selues, yea all you that beare the Lordes vessels. And S. Paule alledging this place saith: Hauing therfore such promises. That is, that God accounteth vs for his seruants & children: Let vs take heede that we cleanze our selues from all filthinesse, aswel of the body as the soule. But beholde Esau, who hath no care but for his belly, and that he sheweth very wel when he saith: Beholde I haste to death, & what shall this birthright auayle me?