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…

For when a man hath cast his cards throughly: he shall perceive that although he have some good zeal too serve God, yet doth he but limp and halt still in that behalf, and that he hath no virtue in him, which is not blemished with some spot, so as there is always one thing or other in him, too put him in mind that he ought not too be proud. Again, his vices are ever mo in number a great way, than his virtues. What shall we then do, but be ashamed of our selves? For we do after a sort defile the holy things, when we mingle our own deformities in that wise with the gifts of Gods spirit. And therefore he that doth most excel, hath cause too be the more lowly, for that he is so much the more bound unto God. Ye see then that they which are esteemed as peerless pearls, and exalted as little worse than Angels, ought always too bridle themselves short, knowing that there is not so little a blemish in them, which ought not too be taken for greevouser in them, than in such as have not received so great gifts, ne be so excellent. Besides this, there are also vices in us even of our ⟨p. 155⟩selves (as I said afore): and if there be any good in us, God hath given it us of his own mere and freebestowed mercy. And therefore it is not for us too presume, but we must impute all evil to our selves. He then that maketh such comparison, will soon beat down his overweening wherewith he was puffed up or deceived.

For when a man hath cast his cards throughly: he shall perceyue that although he haue some good zele too serue God, yit dooth he but llmp and halt still in that behalf, and that he hath no vertue in him, which is not blemished with some spot, so as there is alwaies one thing or other in him, too put him in mynd that he ought not too bee proud. Agein, his vyces are euer mo in nūber a great way, thā his vertues. What shall wee then doo, but be ashamed of our selues? For we doo after a sort defyle the holie things, when wee mingle our owne deformities in that wyse with the gifts of Gods spirit. And therfore he that dooth moste excell, hath cause too bee the more lowely, for that he is so much the more bound vnto God. Yee see then that they which are esteemed as peerlesse perles, and exalted as little woorse than Angels, ought alwayes too brydle themselues short, knowing that there is not so little a blemish in them, which ought not too bee taken for greeuouser in them, than in such as haue not receyued so great gifts, ne be so excellent. Besy•s this, there are also vyces in vs euen of our