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…

The thing then which we have too bear in mind, is, that we must be throughly persuaded, that if we profit not our selves, we go like Sea crabs. For they that go not forward in the doctrine of salvation, vaunt they never so much of their being taught in Gods school, do undoubtedly go back. And therefore let us beware in any wise that we fall not asleep, or stand still at a stay, as though there were no more too be learned. And let us consider that our life is likened too a way, and thereupon learn too go forward still, and too gain always some ground, and too spur and etch forth our slothfulness and slowness, so as it may from day too day appear, that we have gotten some knowledge more than afore: either by understanding better the things which we thought too have bin throughly printed in our minds, or by conceiving some other point by other folks instruction, which was unknown too us afore. So then, let us increase the hoard of that treasure from day too day. And if old folk be so much the carefuller too gather goods, as they draw nearer too their grave, because they see themselves too be weak, and too have need of succour, and are always afraid to be destitute of mans aid, insomuch that that forecast of theirs, driveth them to burning covetousness: ought not we on our side too be greatly ashamed, if we make not provision of Gods word in our old age, seeing we perceive how there is much feebleness and sin still in us? or if we labour not too be continually still enlightened even till the daysonne of righteousness (which is our Lord Jesus Christ) shine upon us,¹ ⟨image 205⟩as at high noon, seeing we find our own ignorance by experience.

The thing then whiche wee haue too beare in mynde, is, that wee must bee throughly perswaded, that if wee profit not our selues, wee go lyke Seacrabbes. For they that go not foreward in the doctrine of saluation, vaunt they neuer so much of their being taught in Gods schoole, doo vndoubtedly go backe. And therfore let vs beware in any wyse that wee fall not asleepe, or stand still at a stay, as though there were no more too bee learned. And let vs consider that our lyfe is lykened too a way, and thervppon learne too go foreward still, and too gayne alwayes some ground, and too spurre and etch foorth our slouthfulnesse and slowenesse, so as it may from day too day appeere, that wee haue gotten some knowledge more than afore: eyther by vnderstanding better the things which we thought too haue bin throughly printed in our myndes, or by conceyuing some other poynt by other folkes instruction, which was vnknowen too vs afore. So then, let vs increace the hoord of that treasure from day too day. And if olde folk bee so much the carefuller too gather goods, as they drawe neerer too their graue, bycause they see themselues too bee weake, and too haue neede of succour, and are alwayes afrayd to bee destitute of mans ayde, insomuch that that forecast of theirs, driueth them to burning couetusnesse: ought not wee on our syde too bee greatly ashamed, if wee make not prouision of Gods woord in our old age, seeing wee perceyue how there is much feeblenesse and sin still in vs? or if wee labour not too bee continually still inlyghtened euen tyll the daysonne of ryghtuousnesse (which is our Lord Iesus Christ) shyne vppon vs,