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…

They then which ground themselves after that manner upon their own virtues and good deeds, think that God is bound unto them, and they may well be lulled asleep, because Satan besotteth them with the foolish self trust which they have conceived: and that is because they aim not at God, but have forged an Idol in their own head. And in good faith, what are the things that they would content God withal, but gewgaws and baggagely trifles, as if they would still babes with them? The Papists must take a sprinkling of holy water, they must all too be cross themselves, they must fast this wake, and that ⟨image 116⟩wake, they must gad on pilgrimage, they must forbear eating of flesh upon such a day, they must babble thus many Paternosters, they must set up a candle to such a saint, they must here thus many masses, they must say thus many meaculpaze. Too be short, when a man hath raked them all on a heap, it is certain that they be but the scrapings and offals of all filthiness. And yet to their seeming, God is well paid with them, as who should say, he were an Idol, or a little babe, as I said afore. We see then that none of all those hypocrites that are so puffed up with presumption, can have any peace with God. But forasmuch as they fetch such windlasses and look not at God, but askew, and though they make countenance of approaching unto God, yet their offering themselves unto him is it not with singleness and substantial soundness of hart: they do but beguile them selves with their fond flatterings. Also there are a sort of these scoffers, which do but nod their heads when men speak too them of their salvation, saying, it is enough, if we may give but one good sigh, but let us not cease in the mean while too make frolic cheer, for what a thing were it too pass all the time of our life in such dumpishness? That would do us no good, & therefore let us play the good fellows. Hereupon they fall to unthriftiness, some after one fashion, & some after another. They have a thousand ways too destruction, and all confederate themselves against God as much as is possible. Therefore for because there have always bin so many, yea and to many, that bring their own consciences a sleep: S. Paul in this place (like as also in the ••ft too the Romans¹) setteth down the tr•w peace: