A17722:335
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…
Thirteen sermons of Master John Calvin, entreating of the free election of God in Jacob, and of reprobation in Esau A treatise wherein every Christian may see the excellent benefits of God towards his children, and his marvellous judgements towards the reprobate, first published in the French tongue, & now translated into English, by John Field, for the comfort of all Christians.Thirteene sermons of Maister Iohn Caluine, entreating of the free election of God in Iacob, and of reprobation in Esau A treatise wherin euery Christian may see the excellent benefites of God towardes his children, and his maruelous iudgements towards the reprobate, firste published in the French toung, & now translated into English, by Iohn Fielde, for the comfort of all Christians.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Thomas Man and Toby Cooke, 1579London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Thomas Man and Tobie Cooke, 1579
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
So then, it behooveth that our faith have light in it self: but yet I say, that this light is compassed and entangled with great darkness: For we behold not God face too face, and we are not capable too comprehend his secretes: and this is sufficient that we know them in part, ⟨image 152⟩and that we have some taste of that which shall be revealed unto us in perfection, then when we shall put off our flesh, & shall be translated into that heavenly glory, to be companions of Angels. Lo then briefly what we have to learn upon this place, to wit, that our faith, although it be great & exquisite, yet nevertheless it shall always have some weakness, and some imperfection and ignorance mingled with that, which God hath given us to know. Now hereof we may gather, that when the scripture pronounceth that we are justified & saved by faith, it meaneth not, that it is by the desert of faith: For if it were so that our salvation were founded upon the dignity of faith, then must our faith be perfect. For if our faith be weak (as I have already said) and that we have but only a part of it, then should we have but a part of salvation: and further it should be shaken, & we should always be wavering and in doubt. But when it is said that we are saved by faith, it is because we accept the mercy of god, which we ought to esteem fully sufficient for our salvation. Our faith is imperfect: yea but when there shall be never so little a spark, yet nevertheless shall the goodness of God supply that which is wanting: even as we now bear this corrupt lump, not only in our bodies, but in our whole nature. But we know that our souls go unto death, and in the mean season where is our life? It is in us. How? In that we have received the spirit of God, saith Saint Paul in the 8. chapter to the Romans. And have we ⟨p. 143⟩the spirit of God in fullness? No not so: There is as it were but one spark or drop of it: but this saith he is life: and shall swallow up all whatsoever belongeth to death in us, and shall make it of no effect. Let us mark then that although our faith be very little, and that in respect of us we conceive not the hundred part of the benefits which God offereth unto us, yea and that we do not so much as by a lick, taste his grace, yet nevertheless we must not therefore despair too be saved thorough faith.
So then, it behooueth that oure fayth haue light in it selfe: but yet I saye, that this light is compassed and entangled with great darknesse: For wee beholde not God face too face, and wee are not capable too comprehende his secretes: and this is sufficient that wee knowe them in part,