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 I have told you already, that forasmuch as God is the Creator, he must be fain to breath strength into all things both above and beneath, according as it is said in the Psalm,¹ that when he withdraweth his spirit, all things are troubled, and finally turn into nothing. There is not then any brute beast, nor any tree on the earth, nor any bird in the air, nor any fish in the water, which hath not his being and continuance by the secret power of God, because he hath not only given them their being for once (at the first:) but also maintaineth and upholdeth them still. As for us, we have much more (as I said even now:) for we not only live in this world, and enjoy the benefits that God hath given us here, insomuch that we have eyes too receive light, and ears to hear, and the fruition of all our senses: but also Gods spirit dwelleth in us, too gather us unto him, and too do us too understand, that he hath not only made us mortal men, and that we hold this present transitory life of him:² but also printed his mark in us, too take us and avow us for his children, and thereto governeth us him self, and is so gracious unto us, as too make his own righteousness dwell in us, because there is nothing but corruption in our selves. Thus ye see, that the thing which we have too remember in the first place, is, that forasmuch as God is come so near unto us, and not only allureth us familiarly too him,³ but also vouchsafeth too have his dwelling in us, insomuch that we be his temples (as I have showed afore) because he dwelleth in us by his holy Ghost:⁴ we ought to separate our selves from all the defilements of the world. Yet notwithstanding it is not enough for every of us too acknowledge the grace that he hath received: but we must also endeavour too govern our selves always in such unity & brotherly love, as every of us may help his neighbour, too go through in the Calling that we be entered into. For woe worth him (as I said) which separateth himself, because he renounceth God by that mean.

Now I haue told you alredie, that forasmuch as God is the Creator, he must bee fayne to breath strength intoo all things bothe aboue and beneathe, according as it is sayd in the Psalme,