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…

It was by knowing that God was the keeper of his soul, whereupon he conceived his infinite power, which is able too perform all that he appointeth. Ye see then, that Saint Paul imagined not a power in the air, but knew that God wrought so in him, as he should never fall but upon his feet (as men say.) And why? For he had promise of it. Wherefore let us learn to put this lesson as well in ure, as it is common in the scripture. The repeating thereof so oft is not for nought. For we see the frowardness that is in our selves, insomuch that although God have promised too keep us, yet if never so little a blast of wind come upon us, we be dismayed by and by. And how so? Surely if we yielded God the honour that he deserveth, and acknowledge him too be almighty (in deed:) we should boldly defy all that seemeth too be against us. And why? For if God be on our side, who shall be against us, sayeth Saint Paul?¹ And we see also how David defieth, both all his enemies, and also death, saying: though I should walk in the shadow of death, & within the grave:² yet should I be safe, because God is my shepherd, and hath his sheephook too guide me withal. And in another place he saith again.³ Though I were beset round about with a million of enemies, yet should I not shrink. And why? for God is with me. Were we then as well persuaded of Gods almightiness, as we confess it with our mouth: surely we should not be so soon dismayed, neither should our faith be shaken at every brunt. So then let us conclude, that inasmuch as we be so weak, and every thing of nothing, will scare us out of our wits: there is nothing but hypocrisy in us, and our confessing that God is almighty, cometh not from our hart. So much the more therefore behoveth it us too put this lesson in ure, and too exercise it night and day, that we may taste it throughly. And that is the cause why it is so often mentioned unto us, for we take it not too be a matter of so great importance. But when our Lord doth so often tell us, that he hath all things in his hand, that he disposeth of his creatures (as he listeth himself), and that ⟨image 168⟩nothing is able too let his determination, nor the performance of the things that he hath promised: it is too the end that we should yield unto his promises, that which they behight us: