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…

So then there is no other mean to be absolved and released before God, but this, that I condemn my self. Mark then, I say, how we ought to practise this doctrine, and to apply it to our use and commodity. And to be short, how oftensoever we offend, let us note that repentance containeth in it confession, not to go and whisper in the ear of a Priest, as was done in the Papacy: but a confession to give glory to God, and likewise to make amends for the fault which was committed against our neighbours. And therefore, they who committed any wrong or outrage against another, it behoved them to labour the amendment thereof, in humbling themselves, and howsoever it was not to be ashamed to say, I have offended you: I pray you forgive me. For mark also how we shall obtain favour and forgiveness before God, and by what means those wrongs we have done to our neighbours shall not cry out for vengeance against us: For undoubtedly, although they to whom we have done the wrong, content them selves, and think no more of it, yet the evil shall be enrolled before God, & cry more loud before his majesty, then if all men were armed and set them selves against us. So then, to the end our faults may be blotted out & defaced before God, & that there be no cry that may hasten the Lord to judgement against us, by reason of the offences that we have committed, let us learn in such sort to appease all strifes & quarrels that every ⟨p. 125⟩one may prevent it by humbling himself with an upright & pure confession. This is that we have to mark upon this point. Now on the other side, we see as I have already touched, that Isaac had not as a man would say, an hart puffed up, neither that nourished any manner of rancour against such as had been his enemies: for he pursued them not, he had in deed special cause against Abimilech and his company: For as Saint Paul saith, they which are not of the flock & body of the church, we cannot judge them, to the end to bring them to repentance, as we may those which make profession of Christianity, who ought out of hand (as much as lieth in them) to receive admonition of their faults. For this is the order which GOD hath set amongest all those that are his, that we should be subject to receive admonition both from great and small.

So then there is no other meane to bee absolued and released before God, but this, that I condemne my selfe. Marke then, I say, how we ought to practise this doctrine, and to apply it to our vse and commoditie. And to be shorte, howe oftensoeuer we offend, let vs note that repentaunce contayneth in it confession, not to goe and whisper in the eare of a Prieste, as was doone in the Papacie: but a confession to giue glory to God, and likewise to make amendes for the faulte which was committed against our neighbours. And therefore, they who committed any wrong or outrage against another, it behoued them to labour the amendment thereof, in humbling themselues, and howsoeuer it was not to be ashamed to say, I haue offended you: I pray you forgiue mee. For marke also howe we shall obtaine fauour and forgeuenes before God, and by what meanes those wronges we haue done to our neighbours shall not cry out for vengeaunce against vs: For vndoubtedly, although they to whom we haue done the wrong, content them selues, and think no more of it, yet the euil shalbe enrolled before God, & cry more loude before his maiestie, then if all men were armed and set them selues against vs. So then, to the ende our faultes may be blotted out & defaced before God, & that there be no cry that may hasten the Lord to iudgement against vs, by reason of the offences that we haue committed, let vs learne in such sort to appease al strifes & quarrels that euery