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…

that is too say, if upon the knowing of his will, we being unable too walk as he commandeth us, do pray him too give us legs, and too strengthen us in such wise as we may overcome all. This done, a man cannot say, that this doctrine is unprofitable. For why is it that our Lord giveth us those things by his holy spirit, which we have not by nature? Even too make the doctrine available, so as it may not disappoint us. They then which do slanderously say, that if we cannot follow God of our own freewill, it were better too forbear preaching, because it is but lost labour: they (say I) wot not what order God keepeth too assure us too himself. And experience showeth well enough, that the preaching of the word is but an instrument whereby God worketh in secret. If we be fully resolved of that, then shall we very well perceive, that God agreeth very well with himself, in that he will have the Gospel preached too us, and yet telleth us, that it should stand us in no stead, except it pleased him too work in our hearts by his holy spirit. Now in saying that the Gospel is an instrument, it is all one as if a man should say, that a ploughman with his Plough […] and all other things,¹ were an instrument, and yet not therefore the cause why the earth bringeth […] fruits.² And why? For God keeps that too himself: and in that respect do we ask him our daily bread. For we must underst••d, that as a father hath care of his children, and as ye would say, puts the meat into their mouths: so will God have us too receive our sustenance at his hands. And for that cause he sayeth, that when the people should be come into the land of Canaan,³ although they should till and manure the ground, yet should they not say, this have I gotten with my own hand, but all acknowledge that they were maintained by the word that proceedeth out of Gods mouth,⁴ that is too say, by the inward grace which God giveth too his creatures, so as we be fed thereby. For all the labour of man can nothing avail, unless God bliss it. And what then shall we say of the thing that is much more excellent? For is not the food ⟨image 152⟩