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…

When we imagine either one thing or other, we can never devise any thing in our minds, but sin and unrighteousness, according as it is said in Genesis, that God knew that all that ever man had in his thought and imagination,¹ was sin. Now sith it is so, let us understand that although we had knowledge of good and evil,² and that we had far greater skill and discretion than we have: yet are we so marred, that all our desires and lusts rebel against God, as it were too make war against him. Seeing then that we be so corrupted in our souls, and that there is neither thought nor affection which is not utterly naught: let us not think it strange, that God with his own mouth avoweth us too be dead, notwithstanding that through our own fond overweening, we imagine that there is some life in us. And that is the very thing which S. Paul treateth of as now, in saying that the Ephesians were partakers of the above mentioned grace, though they were dead through their own sins and iniquities. As if he should say, Too the intent ye may the better esteem the value of Gods grace, and what it bringeth with it: think not only upon your present state, but consider that if God had left you such as you were of your selves, and had not succoured you at all, but had let you follow your own swing: you had bin undone. Consider what your nature is, for ye were dead, and there was no hope that ever you should be quickened again, because it is not in the power of mans own free-will, too give himself life again when he is once dead. Know ye therefore that God did draw you out of the dungeon of all destruction, yea rather out of the bottom of hell, when he vouchsafed too adopt you ⟨p. 62⟩too be his children, and too call you too the knowledge of his Gospel. We see that this saying of Saint Pauls, is conformable too the doctrine and record of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When wee imagin eyther one thing or other, wee can neuer deuyse any thing in our myndes, but sin and vnryghtuousnesse, according as it is sayd in Genesis, that God knew that all that euer man had in his thought and imagination,¹ was sin. Now sith it is so, let vs vnderstand that although wee had knowledge of good and euill,