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…

Now having spoken of praying, he sayeth, That ye may be strengthened in the inward man, by the power of his holy spirit. Here he showeth us the weakness that I spake of afore: for if we perceive not our own need, we will never vouchsafe too resort unto God like poor begets. We know that man being left to himself, will never acknowledge his own poverty, except it be proved too his face. To the end therefore that we should come unto him unfeignedly, and with true lowliness: it is for our behoof too feel by experience, that we can do nothing at all, and that we be unprofitable in respect of all goodness, until our Lord have renewed us. That is the thing which Saint Paul intended too make us too understand. For though all the world generally do seek help at Gods hand, yet is there scarce one too be fond among a hundred, that doth it truly and without hypocrisy. For if a man could search what is in some, he should find them ready too burst like Toads, with pride and filthiness, and that they presume wondrously upon themselves. They will go seek succour at Gods hand, and yet think they have their seeking in themselves. Surely it is too excessive a lewdness, but yet is it a vice that reigneth too much. Howsoever we fare, if we desire God too reach out his hand too succour us: let us learn first of all too abase our selves, ⟨p. 134⟩and let us know, that we have not sufficient strength of our own nature, but that the same must be fain too come from above, and from his holy spirit, as S. Paul hath expressed here. That ye may be strengthened (saith he) by the power of his holy spirit. No doubt but he maketh comparison here of things clean contrary. For so long as a man can do ought of himself, Gods spirit needeth not to supply the room. But forasmuch as all power proceedeth of Gods free goodness: therein it is showed us, that we can do nothing of our selves, and that all the strength which we surmise our selves too have, is but smoke that vanisheth away, and a stark illusion of Satan, who seeketh too hold us fast in some fond selfweening, too the intent we should not repair too our God, and so be left utterly destitute.

Now hauing spoken of praying, he sayeth, That yee may be strengthened in the inward man, by the power of his holy spirit. Here he sheweth vs the weaknesse that I spake of afore: for if we perceyue not our owne neede, we will neuer voutsafe too resort vntoo God lyke poore beggets. We know that man being left to himself, will neuer acknowledge his owne pouertie, except it bee proued too his face. To the end therfore that wee should come vntoo him vnfeynedly, and with trew lowelinesse: it is for our behof too feele by experience, that we can doo nothing at all, and that wee bee vnprofitable in respect of all goodnesse, vntill our Lord haue renewed vs. That is the thing which Saint Paule intended too make vs too vnderstand. For though all the world generally doo seeke help at Gods hand, yit is there scarce one too bee fonnd among a hundred, that dooth it truely and without hipocrisie. For if a man could serch what is in some, he should fynd them redye too burst lyke Toads, with pryde and filthinesse, and that they presume woonderously vppon themselues. They will go seeke succour at Gods hand, and yit thinke they haue their seeking in themselues. Surely it is too excessiue a leaudnesse, but yit is it a vyce that reygneth too much. Howsoeuer wee fare, if wee desir God too reache out his hand too succour vs: let vs lerne first of all too abace our selues,