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…

And see why in another place our Lord Jesus Christ saith: Whosoever hath been taught of God my father, the same shall come unto me. But, as I have said, when the Gospel is preached in the name of God, this is as much as if he himself did speak in his own person: and yet all come not to Jesus Christ. There are a great many that go back the more when they have heard the Gospel: for then the devil kindleth them in such a rage, that they are more outrageous than ever before, & this cometh to pass, because there is a twofold hearing: the one is preaching: For the voice of a man will not enter into the hearts of his hearers. I speak, but it behooveth that I hear my self being taught by the spirit of God: For otherwise the word which proceedeth from my mouth, ⟨image 43⟩should profit me no more then it doth all others, except it be given me from above, and not out of mine own head. Therefore the voice of man is nothing but a sound that vanisheth in the air, and notwithstanding it is the power of God to salvation to all believers (saith Saint Paul.) When then God speaketh unto us, by the mouth of men, then he adjoineth the inward grace of his holy spirit, to the end, that the doctrine be not unprofitable, but that it may bring forth fruit. See then how we hear the heavenly father: that is to say: when he speaketh secretly unto us by his holy spirit: & then we come unto our Lord Jesus Christ. Mark then, the sum of that we have to learn: that is, when God declareth unto us his eternal election, & that he hath given us such a testimony, that we cannot doubt thereof: when he hath showed us that this is our benefit & salvation: and so that we take not too much liberty, to wrangle against him, and to enter into crooked & overthwart disputations, that then the whole shall profit us. For it is certain, that this is the true rejoicing of the faithful, to be instructed concerning this election of God. Moreover: when we see the wicked to cast forth their cavils against God, & their slanders to pervert all, and to bring this doctrine into hatred, let us not think it strange: for it must needs be that they declare them selves to be reprobates. I have said, that we must rest our selves in the everlasting counsel of God, whereby he hath chosen some, & cast off others. If now the reprobate come ⟨p. 36⟩to fight against the trueth of God, it is no new thing:

And see why in another place our Lord Iesus Christ saith: Whosoeuer hath beene taught of God my father, the same shal come vnto me. But, as I haue sayd, when the Gospel is preached in the name of God, this is asmuch as if he himselfe did speake in his owne person: and yet all come not to Iesus Christ. Ther are a great many that go back the more whē they haue heard the Gospel: for then the deuill kindleth them in such a rage, that they are more outragious thē euer before, & this commeth to passe, because there is a twofolde hearing: the one is preaching: For the voice of a man will not enter into the hearts of his hearers. I speake, but it behooueth that I heare my selfe beeing taught by the spirit of God: For otherwise the word which procedeth from my mouth,