A17722:69
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.
and also he meaneth not that we can enforce our selves but he showeth that men ⟨image 31⟩have nothing; and therefore they can bring nothing to God.
and also hee meaneth not that we can inforce our selues but he sheweth that men ⟨image 31⟩haue nothing; and therefore they can bring nothing to God.
There is nothing then but his mercy alone. For if men had any thing to set against it, there must be a parting of stakes, and that must be known which is from God, and that which is from men. And then it might be said, that we have not all from the only mercy of God: but that therein there is our good will, our good running and our good zeal. Men might so speak: But Saint Paul would here make frustrate, whatsoever men might bring of them selves, and show that nothing hath dominion herein, but the only mercy of GOD. It is very true that many people will enforce them selves, yea and they allege the example of the Jews, who were swollen as Toads with a devilish kind of pride, thinking that God was bound as it were to them, and who would be accounted righteous according to their works: but herein they deceive them selves, and shall do nothing but go back in stead of going forward. When men presume so of them selves, it is certain that they rob God of his honour. See then these sacrilegious persons and worse then thieves, and moreover until God shall have renewed us, whatsoever goodly show we have, it is certain, that there is nothing in us but stench, and we shall be as vile vermin before GOD.
There is nothing then but his mercye alone. For if men had any thing to sette against it, there must bee a parting of stakes, and that must bee knowen which is from God, and that which is from men. And then it might bee said, that wee haue not all from the onely mercie of God: but that therein there is our good will, our good running and our good zeale. Men might so speake: But Sainte Paule woulde heere make frustrate, whatsoeuer men might bringe of them selues, and shewe that nothing hath dominion heerein, but the onely mercy of GOD. It is very true that many people will inforce them selues, yea and they alledge the example of the Iewes, who were swolne as Todes with a diuelish kinde of pride, thinking that God was bound as it were to them, and who would bee accounted righteous according to their woorkes: but heerein they deceiue them selues, and shall doe nothing but goe backe in steade of going forwarde. When men presume so of them selues, it is certaine that they rob God of his honour. See then these sacrilegious persons and worse then theeues, and moreouer vntill God shall haue renued vs, whatsoeuer goodly shew we haue, it is certaine, that there is nothing in vs but stinch, and wee shall bee as vile vermine before GOD.