Divers sermons of Master John Calvin, concerning the divinity, humanity, and nativity of our…Diuers sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, concerning the diuinitie, humanitie, and natiuitie of our…

Now, no doubt of it we shall find many remnants of infirmities in us, & although god hath already so holpen us, as that we are highly to thank him, and to magnify his goodness, yet is it good reason we should stoop and cast down our heads, and see in very deed that if he forsake us, we shall soon, I say, not only be weakened, but be utterly overthrown. To be short, our Lord Jesus Christ his meaning here, is to show, that the most perfect, and forward of those, upon whom God hath enlarged the graces and virtues of his holy spirit, must notwithstanding humble themselves, and carefully and fearfully walk, and call upon God every hour, that they might know that it is not enough for him to have begun, except he make it perfect: and that all goodness cometh from him: so that when he hath given a good mind, he must eftsoons grant the performance thereof: Forsomuch as, perseverance is the most special and rarest gift that may be. And thus we see whereunto the exhortation of our Lord Jesus tendeth.

Now, no doubt of it wée shall finde many remnants of infirmities in vs, & although god hath alredie so holpē vs, as that we are highly to thanke him, and to magnifie his goodnesse, yet is it good reason wée shoulde stoupe and cast downe our heads, and sée in very déed that if hée forsake vs, wée shall soone, I say, not onely be weakened, but bée vtterly ouerthrowne. To be short, our Lorde Iesus Christe his meaning héere, is to shewe, that the most perfect, and forewarde of those, vpon whom God hath enlarged the graces and vertues of his holy spirite, must notwithstanding humble themselues, and carefully and fearefully walke, and call vpon God euery houre, that they might knowe that it is not enough for him to haue begunne, except hée make it perfect: and that all goodnesse commeth from him: so that when hée hath giuen a good minde, hee must eftsoones graunt the perfourmance thereof: Forsomuch as, perseuerance is the most speciall and rarest gift that may be. And thus we sée whereunto the exhortation of our Lorde Iesus tendeth.

Now, if they who call themselves spiritual, to wit, who have a fervent zeal to serve GOD, and still have recourse unto his Majesty with Prayers and supplications, are yet so weak, as that they may be overthrown, even in the minute of an hour, except they continually call upon GOD: Howe