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…

So standeth the case with those that put forth their good works, too say, that God hath not saved them freely, but that they them selves were a help too it. Yea, but where come they by those good works? That was the thing that S. Paul aimed at, when he said that God prepared the good works. True it is that God prepareth mens conversations by the Law, wherein he giveth us a certain rule how too walk according too his will: and it is all one as if he prepared the way for us too go in as we ought too do. But that would nothing boot us, except we received the good works themselves at Gods hand. When God commandeth us any thing, we may well have our ears beaten with the sound of it, but it will never enter into our hearts, for we be full of pride and naughtiness, and too be short, it is impossible for us too obey God, till he have softened our hearts, and utterly changed them.

So standeth the cace with those that put forth theyr good woorkes, too say, that God hath not saued them freely, but that they them selues were a helpe too it. Yea, but where come they by those good workes? That was the thing that S. Paule amed at, when he sayd that God prepared the good woorkes. Trew it is that God prepareth mennes conuersations by the Lawe, wherein he gyueth vs a certaine rule how too walke according too his will: and it is all one as if he prepared the way for vs too go in as wee ought too doo. But that would nothing boote vs, except wee receyued the good woorkes themselues at Gods hand. When God commaundeth vs any thing, wee may well haue our eares beaten with the sound of it, but it will neuer enter intoo our hartes, for wee bee full of pryde and naughtinesse, and too bee short, it is impossible for vs too obey God, till he haue softened our hartes, and vtterly chaunged them.

And that is the thing which is declared too us by the Prophets, and in all the holy scripture. God therefore must be fain too make another preparation: that is too wit, when he hath taught us, and told us what is good, and what he liketh of, afterward he must reform us, and so guide and govern us by his holy spirit, as there may be one accord between our life and his law. Then until such time as God ⟨p. 80⟩