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…

Furthermore, this speech is well worth the weighing, when he saith, least any man might boast. For thereupon we have too gather, that it is not enough for us too father some part of our salvation upon God: but that we must come to that point, & yield so far, as not too make any countenance too it at all, but abide too have all our own glory so abased, as only God may have all preeminence, as we have seen in other texts, and specially in the place of Jeremiah, where it was alleged,¹ that God is not glorified as he ought too be, neither is it possible for us to glory in him, till all that ever we think our selves too have of our own, be cast down and done away. For neither the virtue, nor the wisdom, nor the ability, nor the righteousness of man mu•t be put forth, if we intend that God should keep still that which is his own, and which he reserveth too himself. Now therefore we see that all the partnerships which the world would make with God, are but fond dotages, yea and illusions of Satan, who laboureth too make us believe that we are able too do somewhat of our selves, too the intent too pluck us thereby quite and clean from ou• God. For so long as a man imagineth himself to have any one drop of goodness of his own: he will never give over himself unto God, but be puffed up with vain presumption, and rest upon himself. Satan therefore hath won much at our hands, when he hath once persuaded us, that we be able too do any thing of our selves, or that we can make any means to attain too salvation: for his drift is, too make us leave seeking of the things in God, which God offereth us. And by that means we abide empty still, according too the virgin Mary's song,² where it is said, that such as are so filled with overweening, shall abide still hungry, and God will laugh their vain presumption too scorn. Then can we not be fed with Gods grace, except we long for it, and feel our own lack, according too this saying of the Psalm,³ Open thy mouth, and I will fill it. So then, let us mark well, that men shall then be disposed to receive at Gods hand all that is requisite for their salvation, when they reserve nothing too themselves, but acknowledge that all self boasting must be put away. ⟨p. 76⟩