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…

Yet notwithstanding, let us not stay there: but forasmuch as we be weak of our selves, and God hath all strength in him: let us repair unto him. For it is certain, that he calleth and allureth us unto him. And therefore let us not think that we shall be disappointed, when we cast our selves down so as half dead, or rather as stark dead at his feet, not doubting but that he will lift us up again. And so Saint Paul speaking of his praying too God here, was not only too protest that he discharged his duty: but too the intent that the same should serve for an example too all the faithful, that upon the knowing of their wants: they might resort only unto God, knowing that he holdeth us up continually by strong hand, and that after he hath once given us faith, he addeth also such invincible constancy, that we stand out too the end. This is it in effect which we have too bear in mind. And therefore let us take warning, not too trust too our own wit, nor too presume any whit upon our own power and strength, when we come too hear Gods word: but too desire our God, that like as he hath vouchsafed too have his word preached unto us by the mouth of a man, so he will also speak unto us inwardly, and in secret by his holy Ghost, that by that means the doctrine which we have heard, may take root, and bring forth profit and fruit. And moreover, sith we see by experience, that God requireth more of us than our power and ability can afford: let us desire him too supply our wants, according too the example that I have set down already, which is, that it is clean contrary too our fleshly reason, that we should go too death if need be, and forsake the world and our own life. This is not too be found in man, if he follow still his own ⟨p. 133⟩reason and will. God therefore must be fain too work in this case, and too remedy our infirmity. But although that too suffer for the Gospel, and too go too death as it were with blindfolded eyes, and not too be turned away, nor stricken down for any thing, be very hard things, and such as pass all ability of man: yet will God stand by us in such sort, as we shall overcome all distresses, if we arm our selves with the weapons that he giveth us:

Yit notwithstanding, let vs not stay there: but for asmuch as we be weake of our selues, and Godhath all strength in him: let vs repayre vntoo him. For it is certein, that he calleth and allureth vs vntoo him. And therfore let vs not thinke that wee shalbe disapoynted, when we cast our selues downe so as half dead, or rather as starke dead at his feete, not doubting but that he will lift vs vp agein. And so Saint Paule speaking of his praying too God heere, was not alonly too protest that he discharged his dewtie: but too the intent that the same should serue for an example too all the faythfull, that vppon the knowing of their wantes: they myght resort only vntoo God, knowing that he holdeth vs vp continually by strong hand, and that after he hath once giuen vs fayth, he addeth also such inuincible constancie, that wee stand out too the end. This is it in effect which wee haue too beare in mynd. And therfore let vs take warning, not too trust too our owne wit, nor too presume anie whit vppon our own power and strength, when wee come too heare Gods woord: but too desyre our God, that lyke as he hath voutsafed too haue his woord preached vntoo vs by the mouth of a man, so he will also speake vntoo vs inwardly, and in secret by his holy Ghost, that by that meanes the doctrine which wee haue heard, may take roote, and bring forth profit and fruite. And moreouer, sith wee see by experience, that God requyreth more of vs than our power and abilitie can auoord: let vs desyre him too supply our wantes, according too the example that I haue set downe alredye, which is, that it is cleane contrarie too our fleshly reason, that wee should go too death if neede bee, and forsake the world and our owne lyfe. This is not too bee found in man, if he followe still his owne