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…

There is further, that we must above all things take the Shield or Buckler of faith, and the spiritual Sword which is Gods word. As touching this Shield, he setteth down, that by means thereof we may beat back the burning or fiery darts which the enemy whorleth at us. It should seem that Saint Paul useth here a needless speech, in putting Gods word and faith asunder, and that he should not set down two things which are but one. For faith is nothing of it self furtherfoorth than it is grounded upon Gods word: and Gods word also advantageth us not, except we receive it by faith. But his distinguishing of these two things, which notwithstanding go jointly together, was for the easier declaring of them. And he setteth faith for the buckler, too the end (sayeth he) that we should therewith ward all the darts of our enemy. Yet again he showeth us, that of our own power we be not able too ward the blows that Satan can give us, but that they would be deadly. For he thinks it not enough too say (simply,) too ward the blows or assaults: but he saith, the darts. Now men see that one shall sooner •ee hit unawares with darts, than with spears or swords: like as now adays a man shall sooner be hit with a Harquebus, or with a double Canon, than with a sword that is swinged before ones face, and which he may more easily shun. Saint Paul therefore setteth down the devils darts, like as he had erst set down his wiles. Now then let us mark, that Satan not only useth force, but also might wound us too death by subtle means, if we were not fenced by faith. For (as is said elsewhere) it behoveth us too know his whiles:¹ and without we do so, we can never withstand him. He is the father of lying, and besides that, hath such store of wiles, as none can have more, too beguile us and too entrap us. Therefore ⟨image 350⟩let us receive these warnings, that we may be the more waking too apply the promises too our behoof which are given us in Gods word. And he setteth down Fiery Darts, too show that his wounds should be deadly (As I said afore) if God did not set his power afore us, and defend us and preserve us thereby. Now we see what the force of faith is.

There is further, that vvee must aboue all things take the Sheeld or Buckler of fayth, and the spirituall Svvoord vvhich is Gods vvoord. As touching this Sheeld, he setteth downe, that by meanes thereof wee may beate backe the burning or fyrie dartes which the enemye whoorleth at vs. It should seeme that Saint Paule vseth here a needlesse speech, in putting Gods woord and fayth asunder, and that he should not set downe twoo things which are but one. For fayth is nothing of it selfe furtherfoorth than it is grounded vpon Gods woord: and Gods woord also aduauntageth vs not, except wee receyue it by fayth. But his distinguishing of these twoo things, which notwithstanding go ioyntly toogither, was for the easyer declaring of them. And he setteth fayth for the buckler, too the end (sayeth he) that wee should therewith ward all the dartes of our enemye. Yit agein he sheweth vs, that of our owne power wee bee not able too warde the blowes that Satan can giue vs, but that they would be deadly. For he thinkes it not ynough too say (simply,) too ward the blowes or assaultes: but he sayth, the dartes. Now men see that one shall sooner ee hit vnwares with dartes, than with speares or swoordes: lyke as now adayes a man shall sooner bee hit with a Hargabusse, or with a dubble Canon, than with a swoord that is swindged before ones face, and which he may more easly shun. Saint Paule therefore setteth downe the diuelles dartes, lyke as he had erst set downe his wyles. Now then let vs marke, that Satan not onely vseth force, but also myght wound vs too death by suttle meanes, if wee were not fenced by fayth. For (as is sayd elsewhere) it behoueth vs too knowe his whyles: