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…

Now hereupon Saint Paul addeth again, Grace be too all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ uncorruptly. Wherein he showeth who be the brethren that •e […] of even now. Not all they that profess themselves too live after the Gospel, but such as love our Lord Jesus Christ, yea (saith he) with such soundness, as it be not an affection that corrupteth and banisheth away out of hand. And not without cause is this said. For we see how few there are which love Jesus Christ rightly and soundly. The multitude of them that pretend too hold with the Gospel, is great enough: but what a number are there which renounce God in their works, when they have confessed him so in their words? Again, if a man examine them narrowly, which have yet some good tokens, and live orderly enough and without blame, so as it might be said, that there is no hypocrisy in them: he shall see them overshoot themselves in the turning of a hand. As for example, we see how the persecutions now adays discover such as have not a lively root, and so do temptations likewise, insomuch that they which have lived in good reputation, do afterward tur•e aside and go astray. And what is the cause thereof? Some ⟨image 366⟩new block that Satan casteth in their way, or some other stumbling stock too make them turn out of the good way. Therefore when all is throughly reckoned, a man shall find very few, that love Jesus Christ uncorruptly, that is too say, which have at rue steadfastness or stoutness, so as if they be tempted either with fear of death, or with poverty, yet notwithstanding they a•ter not, but continue still in their calling, & show that the holy Ghost reigneth so in them, as he possesseth the bottoms of their harts, even until they be quite rid of all the imperfections of their flesh. No doubt but the perfectest have store of them. And like as it may well be, that a tree shall seem utterly withered, as far as can be discerned outwardly by his branches, & yet if the root continue still in his force, the tree shall be safe: so that although some superfluous boughs be cut of, yet will he spring again: and it will appear plainly, that it was still alive within: even so we from day to day cut of the corruptions of our flesh, which are yet in us, until we be come too the fullness of the incomprehensible perfection, whereunto we labour as now too attain.