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 let us mark by the way for a conclusion, that S. Pauls intent here, is not to decipher all the causes of our salvation one by one, but too abate mens lustiness, that they might not make any brags, or any countenance […] God is in their debt. Therefore it is enough for S. Paul to have stopped all mens mouths in such wise, as they may not take upon them too have aught of their own. For contrariwise whensoever God giveth us good works, although they be the ⟨image 97⟩fruits of his mere goodness: yet can they not purchase us any thing at his hand: for we must always ground and settle our selves upon the forgiveness of our sins. There lieth all our righteousness.

And let vs marke by the way for a conclusion, that S. Paules intent here, is not to decypher al the causes of our saluation one by one, but too abate mens lustinesse, that they might not make any bragges, or any countenance 〈…〉 God is in their debt. Therefore it is ynough for S. Paule to haue stopped all mens mouthes in such wyze, as they may not take vppon them too haue aught of their owne. For contrariwize whensoeuer God giueth vs good works, although they bee the ⟨image 97⟩fruites of his mere goodnesse: yit can they not purchace vs any thing at his hand: for wee must alwayes ground and settle our selues vppon the forgiuenesse of our sinnes. There lyeth all our rightuousnesse.

Too be short, there are two things requisite in yielding God the praise that is dew for our salvation: first that we acknowledge our selves too have all things of him: and secondly that we acknowledge that all the good works, and all the good will which he hath given us already, serve not too purchase us favour at his hand, nor for us too trust upon: but (too show us) that he had need too uphold us, and too bury and forget all our sins, and that by that means we be justified before him, because he acquitteth us, notwithstanding that we deserve too be condemned a hundred times. So then, too be shor, when it is told us, that there is neither freewill, nor any thing else in man: it is too the end we should learn too give all glory unto God, and not have any cause too vaunt our selves any more. And that afterward upon the knowing thereof, we should understand that we should be in continual trouble and perplexity, were it not that we be sure that we shall always obtain grace and mercy, by coming too God with tears and lamenting. And how so? Because he vouchsafeth too acquit us, and although he could thunder down upon […], and drown us: yet he burieth our sins by means of ur Lord Jesus Christ, and receiveth us always too mercy.