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…

The third article containeth an horrible blasphemy that if God have created men to damn them, his will and the Devils is all one. They that speak so, show plainly enough that they are altogether mockers of God, and despisers of all religion. It pleased God that Job should be robbed and spoiled: to be short, all that is there attributed to the Devil, and to those thieves and robbers, it is said plainly, that it came not too pass but by the good pleasure of GOD. Must we therefore conclude that Gods will and the Devils are all one? But they that know that the judgements of God are bottomless, and shall have once known their own weakness, will adore them with all reverence and humility and know well too put a difference, although that GOD willeth the same thing that the devil doth, yet that this is indeed in diverse respects. And so, that he deserveth always to be acknowledged righteous, although that his counsel be incomprehensible unto us.

The third article contayneth an horrible blasphemie that if God haue created men to dampne them, his will and the Diuels is all one. They that speake so, shew playnly enough that they are altogither mockers of God, and despysers of all religion. It pleased God that Iob shoulde be robbed and spoyled: to be shorte, all that is there attributed to the Deuill, and to those theeues and robbers, it is sayde plainely, that it came not too passe but by the good pleasure of GOD. Muste wee therfore conclude that Gods wil and the Deuils are all one? But they that knowe that the iudgementes of God are bottomlesse, and shall haue once knowen their owne weakenesse, will adore them with all reuerence and humilitie and know well too put a difference, although that GOD willeth the same thing that the deuil doth, yet that this is indeede in diuerse respectes. And so, that he deserueth alwayes to be acknowledged righteous, although that his counsell be incomprehensible vnto vs.

Afterwards too abolish the Election of GOD, seeming as though he would confess it, he answereth that God hath not created nor predestinated any man not to believe, seeing he calleth ⟨p. 174⟩every one. Wherein he showed that he never yet learned the ABC of Christians, seeing he knoweth not how to distinguish between the outward preaching, which is done by the mouth of men, & the secret calling of God whereby he toucheth the hearts within. Now when it is commanded in the last of Mark, to preach the Gospel too all, this importeth not that God therefore worketh in all by the power of his spirit: and when it is said in the second Chapter of the first too Timothy, that God would all men to be saved, the solution is added by and by, that come too the knowledge of his trueth. Wherefore then is it, that he him self would not at that present time, that the gospel should be preached to all? so far of is it that he hath enlightened all the world in the faith. It is marvellous that this shameless forehead, is not ashamed too allege for him self the 10. to the Romans, where the text expressly setteth forth that all believe not the Gospel, because that Isay saith, that the arm of the Lord is not revealed to all. Also the 6. chap. of S. John where Jesus Christ expressly pronounceth, that all that are given him of his father come unto him. And touching that, that he saith, that all shall be taught of God: it is a special promise made to the Church: as also the Lord Jesus Christ was a faithful expositor thereof, saying: He therefore that hath heard and learned of my father, shall come unto me. Whereby he showeth, that all are not inwardly called. According as a little after also he confirmeth the same. Therefore I have said unto you, that none can come unto me, unless it be