A17727:78
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.
for we are always in cumbered with vain fantasies, and indeed puffed up with presumption and pride, and bring both that and many other faults from our mothers womb with us, so that it is very hard utterly to root it out of our hearts. We cannot then be persuaded that our salvation consisteth altogether in the mercy of God, ⟨p. 54⟩and indeed there was never yet any of the Philosophers that knew it. The Gentiles verily and Pagans did understand, that they were all sinners & that they had need of some remedy therefore. They had their Sacrifices, their washings and perfumes, as also had the Jews? But what? They also stayed them selves upon their merits. Behold then why S. Paul now bringeth this question and saith, If we also, that is to say, the Jews: For this word also weigheth much in this place, as if he should say, not only the Gentiles are known to be sinners, and their iniquity is laid open: But also even we, who are the elect and chosen people of God, who hath the promise of adoption, who have this dignity more than all the world hath, that God acknowledgeth us for his inheritance, we, I say are so much the greater sinners, by how much we believe in Jesus Christ. But he speaketh this in the person of these men,1 that were not able to understand this doctrine, neither yet would quietly receive it. It is true that this place is otherwise expounded by some others ⟨image 71⟩but there is neither salt nor savour in it: and that is the cause why I busy not my self there in. They suppose that S. Paul meant to say thus much,2 that if we be found sinners, when we believe in Jesus Christ, it followeth thereon that Jesus Christ hath not brought righteousness too us, but this is far from the purpose, as we may easily perceive, by the answer adjoined. To be short, Saint Paul meaneth too abate and beat down in this place, that blasphemy, which was then in many mens mouths: that is to say, that our Lord Jesus Christ should be the author of sin, if that the Jews themselves, should be found sinners when they believe in him: For when the Jews trusted in their Ceremonies, and satisfactions of the law, they supposed indeed that they were discharged before God, and did sanctify themselves.