Two and twenty sermons of Master John Calvin In which sermons is most religiously…Two and twentie sermons of Maister Iohn Caluin In which sermons is most religiously…

We have here now a very good admonition: to wit, that first we must learn to be ruled after the will of God, to receive his word without contradiction, that we reply not according as it pleaseth our own wits and affections, neither too make any noise when we hear God speak: But let him have such authority over us, to make us so silent, as that we may know that whatsoever he saith unto us is just and true. And thus too do, let us learn not to be so sleepy and sluggish, as we are by nature in our vices and sins, and specially in this vice of ambition, having always a greedy desire to be advanced.

Wee haue heere nowe a very good admonition: to wit, that first we must learne to be ruled after the will of God, to receiue his woorde without contradiction, that wee reply not according as it pleaseth our owne wittes and affections, neither too make any noyse when wee heare God speake: But let him haue such authoritie ouer vs, to make vs so silent, as that wee may knowe that whatsoeuer hee sayth vnto vs is iuste and true. And thus too doe, let vs learne not to be so sleepy and sluggish, as wee are by nature in our vices and sinnes, and specially in this vice of ambition, hauing alwayes a gready desire to be aduaunced.

Let us rather know that God is the Master of the humble and lowly: and let us therefore humble our selves, & not look so big and be so foolish haughty, which doth nothing else but cast us headlong into destruction, when as we advance our selves higher then becometh us. Let us rather be advised to bridle all our Lusts and that which holdeth us as it were captives as Saint Paul saith. For what is the cause that so many people at this day do set them selves against the Gospel? It is not, because they know not this doctrine too be good, and that they judge not so of it: But yet are they not therein thoroughly persuaded too say, Lo how we must live: Every man will do whatsoever himself thinketh to be good. We must then needs confess that the judgements of God are right, that we learn to hold all our passions in bondage: that we suffer our selves to be condemned by him, and to be rebuked for all our vices and imperfections as becometh us. Now can we do this? to wit, are we become subject & obedient to the word of God? We must also submit our selves under his hand, to strike us when it shall please him, and lively to understand that we have done amiss, confessing that he hath justly chastised us, or as here it is said, of very faithfulness.