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…

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⟩prepare good works after that fashion, that is too say, till he give us them by shewing us his will, and also make us to do them by his power: we must needs be utterly unprofitable Now sith it is so, let us learn too humble our selves before God, both for that is past, and also for that that is too come. For that which is past, let us acknowledge that God hath plucked us out of the gulf of hell, and that whereas we were by nature damned, he hath vouchsafed too have us too be his children, and therefore let us not be so overweening, as too think that we have this or that, but let him be glorified as he deserveth, and let us assure our selves that he hath pulled us back from death, to the intent, that the beginning, wellspring, root, and only cause of our salvation, should proceed of his only free bestowed goodness. Thus ye see in effect, that it is a point of true humility, to give all the glory of our salvation unto God. And for that which is too come, it behoveth too know that we could not stir one of our little fingers too do any good, except we were governed by God, and received the good works them selves at the hand of him, and of his holy spirit. So then, as oft as we feel our own weakness, let us flee too him for refuge: and when we have done any good, let it not puff us up with any pride, but let us always think our selves so much the more straitly bound unto God, yea even by double. He that is yet very weak, must confess him self exceedingly bound unto Gods mercy, for bearing with him: but he that goeth afore others, and is as a mirror of all holiness, must confess himself much more bound unto him. For why? He hath nothing of his own, he holdeth all things of God, and of his only free goodness.

And that is the thing which is declared too vs by the Prophets, and in all the holy scripture. God therefore must bee fayne too make another preparation: that is too wit, when he hath taught vs, and told vs what is good, and what he lykeeh of, afterward he must reforme vs, and so guide and gouerne vs by his holy spirit, as there may bee one accord betweene our life and his lawe. Then vntill such time as God