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…

But because we see we cannot and that all our strength and power bendeth it self rather to do evil, and not one drop of goodness in our nature, but so weak as that we should be overcome an hundred times every minute ⟨p. 26⟩of an hour, let us come to him that was made weak, that we might (as S. Paul sayeth) be filled with his power. And therefore since our Lord Jesus Christ hath thus denied him self, let us learn, if we will be his Disciples to do the like. And because we see that we cannot of our selves attain thereto, but go altogether backward, let us beseech him,¹ that he would by the power of his holy spirit have dominion in us to strengthen us, as it is said, that he suffered in the infirmity of his flesh, but was raised up again through the power of the spirit, that we might be partakers of the affliction which he sustained, and feel the fruit and excellency of his power in us. Here now we see in effect what it is that we must bear in mind, when it is said that Christ gave over his own will, that he might fully and wholly submit himself unto God his Father. Notwithstanding, we have here continually to remember, that the Son of GOD determined not only to set forth himself here for an example or glass, but to show us how dearly our salvation cost him. For the Devil, meaning to darken the infinite grace of GOD, which hath been showed us, hath said, That Jesus Christ was only as it were a pattern of all virtue. For mark how these hypocritical prattling Jack daws in Popery behave them selves, who although they cannot set down what obedience is, nor yet what it is to forsake a mans self, yet they say, that whatsoever the Evangelist hath written of Jesus Christ is to this end that we should follow him, and be like unto him. Now, this is somewhat: But yet not all, neither the principal matter For an Angel might very well have been sent, to have told us that we must follow him: But when Jesus Christ became the redeemer of the world, he of his own good will submitted himself unto this miserable condition, as here we see. And therefore must we always understand, that when we can find nothing in our selves that may give us any hope of salvation, it remaineth that we must seek for that in him, which is wanting in us.

But because we see we cannot and that all our strength and power bendeth it selfe rather to doe euill, and not one droppe of goodnesse in our nature, but so weake as that wée shoulde be ouercome an hundred times euery minute