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 herewithall, too continue his matter, he addeth, that this grace was given too him, (even) too him the least of all the Saints. This serveth too expound that which he had said concerning the gift of grace. Now hereupon we have too mark, that if we intend too yield God that which we owe him, we must be utterly abased in our selves. For so long as men fall too parting of stakes with God, and will needs be somewhat of themselves: it is all one as if they would set themselves against God, and be their own keruers. Too be short, God never hath his full right, except we be rid quite and clean of all. Therefore a man cannot discern how Saint Paul held all things of Gods mere grace and free gift, but by considering his (former) slenderness, that is too say, by considering what manner a one he had ⟨p. 118⟩bin, and what his estate had bin before. And this is a point of great importance: for we see how men covet always too reserve somewhat too themselves. And although they grant, that God deserveth too be exalted without end: yet can they not find in their harts too forgo the the whole praise of the things that he hath given them, but would• fain be esteemed and had in some reputation for them. Seeing that we be so much given to vainglory, and that there is not a harder thing for us too do, than too humble our selves with such lowliness as God requireth: it standeth us on hand too mark this doctrine so much the more, wherein we see, that God shall never be honoured as he deserveth, till we be thrust down under his feet, and have not any thing wherefore to be esteemed, but be become like wretched creatures that have nothing in us but misery, whereby God may have occasion too show forth his mercy upon us. Lo how Saint Paul• yielded the praise of all things unto Gods freegift without hypocrisy, by acknowledging himself too be the least of all others.

And herewithall, too continue his matter, he addeth, that this grace was giuen too him, (euen) too him the least of all the Saincts. This serueth too expound that which hee had sayd concerning the gift of grace. Now heruppon wee haue too mark, that if wee intend too yeeld God that which wee owe him, wee must be vtterly abaced in our selues. For so long as men fall too parting of staks with God, and will needs bee somwhat of themselues: it is all one as if they would set themselues ageinst God, and bee their owne keruers. Too bee short, God neuer hath his full right, except wee be rid quyte and cleane of all. Thefore a man cannot discerne how Saint Paule hild al things of Gods mere grace and free gift, but by considering his (former) slendernesse, that is too say, by considering what manner a one he had