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 hereunto Saint Paul addeth expressly, the inward man: for we would fain that God should always strengthen and increase us in this world, but in the mean while the heave••y life is as nothing with us. For some would show themselves valiant, and they be so ravished in their own conceit, that they ween themselves too be as Angels, so as men may speak of their deeds of prowess, and that they may be taken for proper men, and purchase themselves reputation. That is one kind of strength that men desire. Others desire too increase their substance by merchandise, or too get riches and possessions by any means howsoever it be. Othersome covet too be in credit and authority. Too be short, the means whereby we would have God too show himself bountiful towards us, is in pleasing our sensuality and earthly lusts. But on the contrary part, Saint Paul bringeth us too the inward man, that is too say, too the spiritual life, which is unseen of us, saving that we have record of it. For after the same manner doth he speak of the inward man likewise too the Corinthians,¹ saying, that the outward man corrupteth, but yet the inward man is renewed. What is it then that Saint Paul meaneth by the outward man? Riches, bodily health, honour, credit, authority, and (at a word) all that we covet of our own nature. Those are the things that are meant by the outward man. Now (as I said afore) we would fain be strengthened in those things, but in the mean while we despise the inward man, that is too say, the things that belong too the heavenly life. And why? For we see them not, because ⟨image 154⟩we be gross witted, and entangled in this world. Therefore Saint Paul showeth us here, that if God list too diminish us too the worldward, we must be are it patiently, and he sayeth the like in the Text which I am about to allege. For when the faithless and heathenish sort which have their treasure in this world, do see themselves go too decay: they sigh and say, alas, where are the arms that I had in time past? where be the legs? & thereupon they fall too repining against God. Again, if a man that was rich be diminished, and God cut of the things that he possessed: he is in horrible unquietness, and he had lever too be already buried, than too see his wings clipped after that fashion.

Now hereunto Saint Paule addeth expresly, the inward man: for wee would fayne that God should alwayes strengthen and increace vs in this world, but in the meane whyle the heauey lyfe is as nothing with vs. For some would shewe themselues valiant, and they bee so rauished in their owne conceyt, that they weene themseles too bee as Angels, so as men may speake of their deeds of prowesse, and that they may bee taken for proper men, and purchace themselues reputation. That is one kynd of strength that men desire. Others desyre too increace their substance by merchandyse, or too get riches and possessions by any meanes howsoeuer it bee. Othersome couet too bee in credit and authoritie. Too be short, the meanes wherby wee would haue God too shewe himselfe bountifull towards vs, is in pleasing our sensualitie and earthly lusts. But on the contrarie part, Saint Paule bringeth vs too the inward man, that is too say, too the spirituall lyfe, which is vnseene of vs, sauing that wee haue record of it. For after the same maner dooth he speake of the inward man lykewyse too the Corinthians,