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…

When therefore we see that God will familiarly communicate with us all his benefits, in the person of his only begotten Son, so much the less excuse is there, if we come not to receive part of this blessing the which is propounded unto us. Moreover, it is not only said that all nations of the earth shall be blessed, but it is said, ⟨p. 75⟩they are blessed: not for that we can compass or attain to this blessing of our selves, or by our own power and diligence: but it behoveth that every one be blessed in Jesus Christ through faith. For altogether like as he is presented unto us by the gospel, so likewise we must accept him: and if we remain unbelievers, this is because we shut the door as it were, against all his graces. Then seeing it is so, that God hath prepared all so long time before, that belongeth to our salvation, and that in the fullness of time (as Saint Paul calleth it) Jesus Christ hath appeared, and hath sufficiently witnessed, that he was that blessed seed, wherein we must seek all benefits: Let us likewise come with the like readiness of faith, and with such zeal, that we be not shut out through our own malice and unbelief, to the end God accomplish not that in us which is here pronounced, that we go not to him to have the ratification of his promise: let us, I say, take heed, that none hinder himself through his own fault and vice. Finally it is said: That God will ratify his oath with Isaac, forasmuch as Abraham had obeyed the voice of God, and had kept his observations, commandments, statutes & laws.

When therefore we see that God will familiarly communicate with vs all his benefites, in the person of his onely begotten Sonne, so much the lesse excuse is there, if wee come not to receiue parte of this blessinge the which is propoūded vnto vs. Moreouer, it is not only said that all nations of the earth shalbe blessed, but it is said, ⟨p. 75⟩they are blessed: not for that we can compasse or attain to this blessing of our selues, or by our own power and diligence: but it behoueth that euery one be blessed in Iesus Christ through faith. For altogither like as he is presēted vnto vs by the gospel, so likewise we must accept him: and if we remaine vnbeleeuers, this is because wee shut the doore as it were, against all his graces. Then seeing it is so, that God hath prepared all so long time before, that belongeth to our saluation, and that in the fulnesse of time (as Saint Paule calleth it) Iesus Christ hath appeared, and hath sufficiently witnessed, that he was that blessed seede, wherein wee must seeke all benefits: Let vs likewise come with the like readynesse of faith, and with such zeale, that we be not shut out through our owne malice and vnbeleefe, to the end God accomplish not that in vs which is heere pronounced, that we goe not to him to haue the ratification of his promise: let vs, I say, take heede, that none hinder himselfe through his owne fault and vice. Finally it is said: That God will ratifie his othe with Isaack, forasmuch as Abraham had obeyed the voyce of God, and had kept his obseruations, commaundements, statutes & lawes.