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…

Moreover let us mark therewithal, that if we will be partakers of the salvation that God offereth us, we must bring nothing with us but only faith. For (as is said in another place) faith taketh no help of good works. Although it have record of the Law,¹ yet doth it not bring aught unto God, whereby too bind him […] us, but rather witnesseth that we be utterly emptied, and that we have none other ⟨image 93⟩hope than only in his free goodness. But like as a man that is pinched with great distress, so as he can scarcely stir a finger, and hath nothing but his tongue too cry out, alas that some body would help me, & pity me: even so must faith rid away all the over weening which we have in our selves, that we may receive what soever God offereth us, so as all the praise thereof be reserved unto him. That therefore is the thing that we have too bear away.

Moreouer let vs mark therwithall, that if wee wil bee partakers of the saluation that God offereth vs, wee must bring nothing with vs but only fayth. For (as is sayd in another place) fayth taketh no help of good woorks. Although it haue record of the Lawe,¹ yit dooth it not bring aught vntoo God, wherby too bynd him 〈…〉 vs, but rather witnesseth that wee bee vtterly emptyed, and that wee haue none other ⟨image 93⟩hope than only in his free goodnesse. But lyke as a man that is pinched with great distresse, so as he can scarsly stirre a fynger, and hath nothing but his tongue too cry out, alas that some body woulde helpe me, & pitie mee: euē so must fayth ryd away al the ouer weenyng which wee haue in our selues, that wee may receiue what soeuer God offereth vs, so as al the prayse thereof bee reserued vntoo hym. That therfore is the thing that wee haue too beare away.

1. 1Rom. 4. a. 4. 5.