A17727:65
Three propositions or speeches, which that excellent man M. John Calvin, one of the…Three propositions or speeches, which that excellent man M. Iohn Caluin, one of the…
Three propositions or speeches, which that excellent man M. John Calvin, one of the pastors of the Church of God in Geneva had there To which also is added, an exposition upon that part of the catechism, which is appointed for the three and fortieth Sunday in number. Translated into English, by T.VV.Three propositions or speeches, which that excellent man M. Iohn Caluin, one of the pastors of the Church of God in Geneua had there To which also is added, an exposition vpon that parte of the catechisme, which is appointed for the three and fortieth Sunday in number. Translated into Englishe, by T.VV.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for George Bishop, 1580
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
When they say that they deserve heaven through Gods grace, they mean thereby that they are not able to do all, but yet sundry times, you shall have them speak thus proudly, that they merit or deserve the whole. They say, that it is not by their works in their own nature, but that God hath framed first such a preparation or disposition in them: and so there is nothing touching faith: and yet behold wherefore S. Paul addeth this word faith, because they establish and erect of works, and Gods promises, their own merits.1 Now needs must it fall out, that in the mean season this promise should be disannulled, if men stay them selves upon works, as Saint Paul saith in the place already alleged out of the Romans. And yet for all this, he putteth not down without good cause and reason, this word, works of the law. Sometimes when he esteemeth them not, he doeth it, to show, that he speaketh generally & without exception, as in the place erewhile alleged, he sayeth,2 that GOD justifieth ⟨image 61⟩without works: he establisheth not the works of the law, but sayeth without works.3 But because he hath to do with the Jews, who might always allege and say: And what? Shall this promise that we have (too wit, he that shall live according to the law, shall be justified, & this is our life) shall this I say be unprofitable? shall all this be without cause and void? Mark how the Jews might object. Saint Paul therefore useth a prevention here, and cutteth the throat, (as a man would say) of all that they are able to object: as though he should say: albeit works are of the law, yet so it is, that they are not able to justify. But now let us come to the principal point or matter.4 It is said, that the Jews, that had all the promises of God, and the outward testimonies, that he had chosen them from amongest all the rest of the world, were yet notwithstanding enforced too seek their justification and righteousness in our Lord Jesus Christ. Which seeing that so it is, too whom shall the Gentiles repair now, to obtain grace in? shall they go to seek it in the law, from which ⟨p. 45⟩