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…

So then, all is then finished, when we have lingered in this world as long as pleaseth God, and every man endeavoured too live according too his calling, and bin patient too the end. Finally, be it that we live, or be it that we dye, and let us always be true sacrifices to offer our selves unto God, and let us seek nothing but to yield up our souls and our bodies into Gods hand. Therefore let us stand fast ⟨p. 329⟩sayeth S. Paul: that is too say, that we may be able to show our selves before our God.

So then, all is then finished, when wee haue lingered in this world as long as pleaseth God, and euery man indeuered too lyue according too his calling, and bin pacient too the end. Finally, bee it that wee lyu•, or bee it that wee dye, and let vs alwayes bee trewe sacrifyzes to offer our selues vntoo God, and let vs seeke nothing but to yeeld vp our soules and our bodyes intoo Gods hand. Therefore let vs stand fast ⟨p. 329⟩sayeth S. Paul: that is too say, that we may be able to shew our selues before our God.

Hereupon he showeth with what manner of Armour we must be fenced and furnished: that is too wit, with Faith, with Righteousness, with Truth, with Gods word, and with the Gospel. Now we must not be curious in seeking here why Saint Paul giveth the title of Helmet too one, the title of Breastplate too another, and the title of Shield too another. For in the first Epistle too the Thessalonians he toucheth the same doctrine briefly,¹ howbeit, without following the similitude throughout, saying, that we must be armed with the helmet of faith and charity. But he speaketh otherwise in this place. If any man would say, there is some contradiction, the doubt would soon be dissolved, namely that Saint Pauls intent here, was not too decipher particularly all the pieces of a Christen mans armour, but too show briefly that if we receive the means that God offereth us, and be diligent too serve him, we shall be furnished of all pieces, and we need not fear but we shall have wherewith too withstand all our enemies, yea and too vanquish them. That then was Saint Pauls meaning.