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…

Like as when it is said that he created the world of nothing, it is as much too say, as that where as there was not any thing at all before, he gave being too that which was not. Even so as in respect of the spiritual life, that we be cre•ted, is as much too say, as that we were nothing at all before. Now, if we be nothing, shall we be able too bind God too give us this or that? Are they not things utterly against nature? Then let us mark well, that too know how we be saved by mere grace, and that we have all things of Gods gift, and of his free goodness, we must be fain too come too this point, namely that God gave us our being, according as it is avouched by the example of Abraham in the fourth too the Romans.¹ For in Abraham's body we see what is in our souls. When Jesus Christ was promised too Abraham in his son Isaac,² ye know he was a man altogether drooping and barren: and his wife also was far stricken in age. And therefore that either he on his side should beget, or his wife on her side breed a child, are things impossible. But he believed God, which calleth forth the things that are not,³ and giveth them being. Seeing then that Abraham was as a withered block, and had no strength nor lustiness in him, and yet notwithstanding receiveth the promise that was made unto him: therein it behoveth us too behold that we cannot be partakers of Gods grace, except we acknowledge our own unabilitie, and be first of all utterly abased in our selves, that our Lord may begin our life, & continue the same, till he have brought it too full perfection.

Lyke as when it is sayde that he created the worlde of nothing, it is as much too saye, as that where as there was not any thing at all before, he gaue beyng too that which was not. Euen so as in respect of the spirituall lyfe, that wee bee cre•ted, is as much too say, as that wee were nothing at all before. Now, if wee bee nothing, shall wee bee able too bynd God too gyue vs this or that? Are they not things vtterly ageinst nature? Then let vs marke well, that too knowe how wee bee saued by mere grace, and that wee haue all thinges of Gods gift, and of his free goodnesse, wee must bee fayne too come too this poynt, namely that God gaue vs our beyng, according as it is auouched by the example of Abraham in the fourth too the Romanes.