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 after S. Paul hath said, that he thanketh God for the things that he saw already in the Church of Ephesus: he addeth that […] pra•eth too him also. This is too show us that when we see God bestow his excellent gifts upon his children, we had need too beseech him still to continue and go forward with the same, and that for two causes. For he that standeth, may happen to fall, and again, God had need too increase his grace more and more. For even they that are the perfectest shall have cause too be ashamed, if they look well into their own wants. Ye see then that the thing whereto S. Paul bringeth us, is that when we praise God for the gifts which he hath bestowed upon his chosen children▪ we ought too match prayer also with our thanksgiving. And why? For it is in hi• only too bring too pass the thing that he hath begun: and it beh• ueth us too lay always this ground, Lord thou wilt not leave the work of thine own hands half undone.¹ And the same thing whi•h we ought too do for others, is also requisite for our selves. Too be short, we be here warned too magnify God in such wise for his goodness and gifts which we have felt already, as we must perceive that there is still much default in us, and that it standeth us on hand that he should give us perseverance too the end: and moreover that he should correct our vices, and augment his grace in us, till we be come too full perfection, which thing will never be till we be rid of this mortal body. Yet notwithstanding we see how Satan doth now adays possess such as surmise a hellish perfection, and make but the three first petitions too their father, saying, that it is enough too pray God that his name be hallowed, that his kingdom come, and that his will be done: and so they cut of all the rest of the ⟨p. 42⟩prayer which our Lord Jesus hath left us.

Now after S. Paule hath sayd, that he thanketh God for the things that he sawe alredie in the Church of Ephesus: he addeth that 〈…〉 pra•eth too him also. This is too shewe vs that when wee see God bestowe his excellent giftes vppon his children, wee had neede too beseche him still to contnewe and go forewarde with the same, and that for twoo causes. For he that standeth, may happen to fall, and againe, God had neede too increace his grace more and more. For euen they that are the perfectest shall haue cause too bee ashamed, if they looke well intoo their owne wantes. Yee see then that the thing wheretoo S. Paule bringeth vs, is that when wee prayse God for the gyftes which he hath bestowed vppon his chozen children wee ought too match prayer also with our thanksgiuing. And why? For it is in hi onely too bring too passe the thing that he hath begunne: and it beh ueth vs too lay alwayes this ground, Lord thou wilt not leaue the woorke of thine owne handes halfe vndone.