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…

But the better to express all, Saint Paul saith, that he did choose us in Jesus Christ: it followeth then that this is out of our persons. If we had bin chosen in our selves, God should have found some matter in us to have been induced to love us, and to have been inclined to have called us to salvation. But what? We are chosen without our selves: that is to say: God had no regard to that we were or might be, but our election is founded in Jesus Christ. And moreover, he yet giveth a more ample declaration: that is, according to his good purpose, which he had determined in himself: it is certain that all that is according to the purpose of man, is manifestly excluded: and again when he saith in himself: this is to admonish us, that if we would know the cause why: it is as if ⟨image 39⟩we would make an Anatomy of God, and go even into his hart & sound all his secrets. And can we do thus? What overweening is this? So then, when we shall suffer our selves to be taught of God, it is certain, that he will answer us, in such sort, as shall be necessary for us, concerning that which belongeth to our salvation: and namely we shall know that which surmounteth all mans understā ding, how the one sort are elected, and the other rejected, and why the one have no doctrine, as the Papists and other infidels, whom God leaveth as poor blind ones, & why the other are enlightened through the Gospel. And farther, concerning those to whom the Gospel is preached, the one receive it with obedience, & they are touched therewith to the quick, and persevere in it to the end: & the other remain blockish, or rather will be full of outrage, to strive against God: or else will be fickle and give them selves over to all iniquity, throwing of the yoke, when they shall be brought into the good way. And from whence cometh this diversity? We must come to this fountain that the holy scripture showeth us: that is, that the like grace hath not bin showed to all. So then, behold our true wisdom that is, that we be Gods good scholars: & we shall then be his scholars, when we seek to know nothing, but that he knoweth to be good & expedient for our salvation: and when we shall rest there, & learn to bring into captivity all our senses, & to keep an hard hand upon them.

But the better to expresse all, Saint Paule sayth, that he did chuse vs in Iesus Christe: it followeth then that this is out of our persons. If we had byn chosen in our selues, God should haue found some matter in vs to haue bene induced to loue vs, and to haue beene enclined to haue called vs to saluation. But what? Wee are chosen without our selues: that is to say: God had no regarde to that we were or might be, but our election is founded in Iesus Christ. And moreouer, hee yet giueth a more ample declaration: that is, according to his good purpose, which he had determined in himselfe: it is certaine that all that is according to the purpose of man, is manifestly excluded: and again when he sayth in himselfe: this is to admonish vs, that if we would knowe the cause why: it is as if