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…

After he hath spoken so of the mighty power of God: now he addeth, that we must arm our selves with his complete Harness. As if he should say, that it is long of none but our selves, that we be not well armed and weaponed too overcome all Satan's assaults, and that our own negligence is the cause that we be so often vanquished a•d foiled. And why? For God not only promiseth to succour ⟨p. 324⟩us by his power, and that in such measure, as we shall get the upper hand: but also putteth means into our hands, and armeth us: and yet notwithstanding we hang up our armour upon the wall. And is it any marvel if we be taken unawares, or be unable too resist at the pinch, when we hold scorn too use the means that God offereth us, and are so near our hand? Now what is this armour? Saint Paul will show it in dew place, as now let it suffice us too know his intent. Then whereas it is said, that we must be armed with Gods complete harness: it is too rebuke and quicken up our recklessness, in letting the things alone which he offereth us. In deed we will like well if a man tell us that God is ready and forward too succour us, and that we need not too doubt of victory against all our enemies, so long as he is on our side: we accept this gear willingly: but in the mean while we be contented too sit still, and it is not for us too encounter our enemy, for he is far too strong for us. But yet must we in this case encounter hand too hand: and we would that Gods armours should lye still, and be prepared for us without using of them. For this cause are we commanded too put them on, that is too say, too apply them too our use, sith our sta•e is such, as we must maintain battle, and it pleaseth God that we should be so armed, and that the devil should not come upon us unprovided.

After he hath spoken so of the myghtye power of God: now he addeth, that vvee must arme our selues vvith his complet Harnesse. As if he should say, that it is long of none but our selues, that wee bee not wel armed and weaponed too ouercome all Satans assaultes, and that our owne negligence is the cause that wee bee so often vanquished a•d foyled. And why? For God not only promiseth to succour ⟨p. 324⟩vs by his power, and that in such measure, as wee shall get the vpper hand: but also putteth meanes intoo our handes, and armeth vs: and yit notwithstanding wee hang vp our armour vppon the wall. And is it any maruell if wee bee taken vnwares, or bee vnable too resist at the pinch, when wee hold scorne too vse the meanes that God offereth vs, and are so neere our hand? Now what is this armour? Saint Paule will shewe it in dew place, as now let it suffize vs too knowe his intent. Then whereas it is sayd, that wee must bee armed with Gods complet harnesse: it is too rebuke and quicken vp our rechlesnesse, in letting the things alone which he offereth vs. In deede wee will lyke well if a man tell vs that God is redye and foreward too succour vs, and that we neede not too doubt of victorie ageinst all our enemies, so long as he is on our syde: we accept this geere willingly: but in the meane whyle wee bee contented too sit styll, and it is not for vs too incounter our enemie, for he is farre too strong for vs. But yit must wee in this cace incounter hand too hand: and wee would that Gods armours should lye styll, and bee prepared for vs without vsing of them. For this cause are wee commaunded too put them on, that is too say, too apylye them too our vse, sith our stae is such, as wee must maynteyne battell, and it pleaseth God that wee should bee so armed, and that the diuell should not come vppon vs vnprouded.