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 besides this, Saint Paul showeth further, that it is a free bestowed benefit, that is too say, a benefit that proceedeth of Gods only free gift, too the intent we should not imagine, that when God succoureth us, he hath an eye too any thing else than our wretchedness, or that he doth it for any good disposition that he saw should be in us. And that is the cause why he succoureth us in all our needs. And therefore Saint Paul sayeth here, that it standeth us on hand too be strengthened by the power of his holy spirit, and that the same is a free gift.

And besides this, Saint Paule sheweth further, that it is a free bestowed benefyte, that is too saye, a benefyte that proceedeth of Gods onely free gifte, too the intent wee should not imagin, that when God succoreth vs, he hath an eye too any thing else than our wretchednesse, or that he dooth it for any good disposition that he sawe should bee in vs. And that is the cause why he succoreth vs in all our needes. And therfore Saint Paule sayeth heere, that it standeth vs on hande too bee strengthened by the power of his holy spirit, and that the same is a free gifte.

Now he sayeth, according too the richness of his glory. Wherefore is it, that he magnifieth the riches of Gods goodness so much, but to beat down all the fond opinions wherewith men besot them selves, in weening too bring, I wot not what, of their own, and by that mean too make themselves hail-fellow with God? Therefore it behoveth us to bear this thing well in mind. For S. Paul speaks too such as had showed great strength already: but yet was it meet that God should always have the praise of it. They were in great forwardness, and had fought already for the Gospel: and yet Saint Paul wisheth, that they might be strengthened. Herein we see that we be so far unable too begin too do good, that even when God hath set us in the way, when he hath reached us his hand, yea and when he hath continued his grace in us from day too day:¹ Yet if he do but turn away his hand one minute, we be quite quailed. And so we be warned (as we have seen afore) that as God is the beginner of our salvation, so is he the worker of it throughout, and there is nostedfanesse in us, further forth than we be uphold by him, and by