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, whensoever we shall seem too be at the point of undoing, and the devil shall give us so whole skirmishes, as we shall see no way too escape, nor any end of our distresses: let us think thus with our selves, who is he that hath spoken it? Who is he that hath promised too be our defender? Is it not he that is almighty? Could not he with one blast blow away all that the devil practiseth? Though all the world were against us, what could it do, so our Lord vouchsafed too maintain our part? After that manner must we advance Gods power above the whole world, that we may rest upon his promises. For (as I have said already) Gods word, and the power of bringing too pass the things contained therein, are things unseparable. And we blaspheme God, as oft as we be in doubt and perplexity, whether he be able too perform his defending of us or no. For sith he hath promised it: out of all doubt he will perform it, or else should his power be shortened, which is impossible. And so ye see why Saint Paul hath spoken here of Gods power. And that also is the cause why the prophets, in speaking of the succour which God hath always in readiness, too rescue the faithful withal from death, when they be plunged in it,¹ have commonly said, Is it not the God which hath made both heaven and earth? This should seem too be far fet. For the case is, that I am in some trouble, and have none other refuge, but only Gods pitying of me, whereof I seek too be assured: and he telleth me, I have created heaven and earth. He seemeth too send me very far, and too make me leap out of Gods blessing into the warm sun. But Gods telling of us that he created heaven and earth, is too do us too understand, that it belongs too him also too rule his creatures, that he hath a care of us as of his children, that there is not any thing above or beneath, which is not subject too him, and that he turneth all things round about, & too and fro as he listeth. Sayeth he so? Then must we out of hand apply it too our benefit, so as we doubt not but that his power hath such preeminence, as he is well able too root out whatsoever seemeth too be against us. And so ye see how ye must always have the said chain to tie Gods promises, & the truth of the bringing of them to pass together.

that is too say, whensoeuer wee shall seeme too bee at the poynt of vndooing, and the diuell shall giue vs so whole skirmishes, as we shall see no way too escape, nor any end of our distresses: let vs think thus with our selues, who is he that hath spoken it? Who is he that hath promised too bee our defender? Is it not he that is almyghtie? Could not he with one blast blowe away all that the diuell practizeth? Though all the world were ageinst vs, what could it doo, so our Lord voutsafed too maynteyne our part? After that maner must wee aduaunce Gods power aboue the whole world, that wee may rest vppon his promises. For (as I haue sayd alredye) Gods woord, and the power of bringing too passe the things conteyned therin, are things vnseparable. And wee blaspheme God, as oft as wee bee in dout and perplexitie, whether he bee able too performe his defending of vs or no. For sith he hath promised it: out of all doubt he wyll perfourme it, or else should his power bee shortened, which is impossible. And so yee see why Saint Paule hath spoken heere of Gods power. And that also is the cause why the prophets, in speaking of the succour which God hath alwayes in redinesse, too reskew the faythfull withall from death, when they bee plundged in it,