The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the…The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the…

And why▪ For it is not only said, that God will humble us, and that he will have pity ⟨image 342⟩upon us: but also that his power shall show it self in succouring us, and that not with a single and common operation, but with a mighty power, that is too say, with a power that shall overcome all the lets of the world.

And why▪ For it is not onely sayd, that God will humble vs, and that he will haue pitye ⟨image 342⟩vppon vs: but also that his power shal shewe it selfe in succoring vs, and that not with a single and common operation, but with a myghtye power, that is too say, with a power that shall ouercome all the lettes of the world.

Now then we see what diversity there is between the doctrine of the Papists, and the doctrine that we follow, which is grounded upon the holy Scripture. For these blind wretches say, they can work wonders by their freewill. In deed they will give some little snippet unto God, saying, that he supplieth their wants, because they be inclined too evil and too vice, but that they be restrained by him. God therefore is as a pretty fellow too help them at a dead lift: but in the mean while it is their own freewill, and their natural power that bears all the sway. But when they have made the uttermost of their own strength: yet do men dwell always in doubt, & if they happen to hold their own one hour, by and by they stumble, and can never get up again. But contrariwise we hold opinion, that man must be utterly beaten down (as we be taught by the holy Ghost,) so as we may not have one drop of power resident in our selves, but be utterly emptied. Are we once at that point? Our Lord showeth us the remedy. If we repair too him, and acknowledge our wants, and be ready too beg, so as we have our mouths open, and be not pu•t up with mind, but (rather) utterly empty: then doth our Lord assure us, that he will not fail us, and we shall have whereof too presume, howbeit not after the manner of the Papists, who make their brags and afterward come short (of their reckoning,) and are put too utter shame. On our part, when we have acknowledged that nothing we be, nor nothing can do, we resort unto God, too glory against Satan, and against all the assaults that he giveth upon us, and against all the munitions of hell, and against all the impediments and temptations in the world. Thus ye see how we ought too put this lesson of Saint Pauls in ure.