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 Saint Paul not only useth the word Armour or Harness: but also addeth, all the furniture, as if he should say, we must be armed from top too toe. And that shall be set forth particularly yet better hereafter. Howbeit his meaning in this text, is that our unthankfulness is known so much the more, in that God armeth us at all points, so as nothing is missing, except the fault be in our selves. In deed we will not stick too put on some part of the armour that God giveth us: howbeit, it is but as if one man should clap on his Morion for a countenance, & take neither Target, nor Corselet nor any thing else: and another catch up his sword, and the third his halberd, & in the mean while every of them want many other things that they should have need of. So we perhaps apply some part of Gods armour too our use: that is too say, we will not utterly reject or refuse all the grace that he offereth us. But there is none of us all that armeth himself as he should do: that is too say, which is fenced with all the virtues that God giveth him. For it is certain, that both from ⟨image 343⟩the right hand and from the left, from above and from beneath, God ordaineth means for us too fight withal, which are sufficient, so we despise them not, but upon knowledge of our want, receive the things which he giveth us so liberally.

And Saint Paule not onely vseth the woord Armor or Harnesse: but also addeth, all the furniture, as if he should say, wee must bee armed from top too toe. And that shalbe set foorth particularly yit better heerafter. Howbeeit his meaning in this text, is that our vnthankfulnesse is knowen so much the more, in that God armeth vs at all poyntes, so as nothing is missing, except the fault bee in our selues. In deede wee will not sticke too put on some part of the armour that God giueth vs: howbeeit, it is but as if one man should clap on his Morion for a countenance, & take nother Target, nor Corselet nor any thing else: and another catch vp his swoord, and the third his halberd, & in the meane whyle euery of them want many other things that they should haue neede of. So wee perhaps apply some part of Gods armour too our vse: that is too say, wee will not vtterly reiect or refuze all the grace that he offereth vs. But there is none of vs all that armeth himselfe as he should doo: that is too say, which is fenced with all the vertues that God giueth him. For it is certein, that both from ⟨image 343⟩