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…

And for the same cause also doth he add, that we should grow in all things in him that is our head, that is too wit, in Jesus Christ. Now by this word Grow, Saint Paul continueth the matter that we have seen heretofore, which is, that we must not stand so much in our own conceits, as too think our selves too be come already to the mark we go too. For (as I told you) our life is a journey: and therefore we must go on still: for he that lingereth by the way, doth well show that he never wist whereat he aimed. Therefore although we must not be as little children, yet are we not yet come to full age, neither have we gotten yet such strength as were requisite. Wherefore let us grow, that is too say, let every of us look well too his own infirmity, and when he sees his own weakness▪ let him thereupon take heart, and thrust forth himself: let him press unto God, and let all our minds be continually bent that way. For it is not enough for us too have begun, nor yet too have gone on • good way, unless it be printed in our hearts, that we must profi•e still, even too our dying day. Otherwise it is certain that we shall be but dazzled with our own pride, & that will make all Gods gifts too vanish away, which we had received afore. Wherefore let us not imagine that we have such power, or such understanding in all the things that are requisite for our salvation, as that we should not consider how it is not for nought that the holy Ghost exhorteth us here […] ⟨p. 193⟩grow. And here ye see also, how lowliness ought always too ma•ch with faith: according too this saying,¹ that Gods word serveth too instruct the small and lowly ones. The greater then that a man would make himself too be, surely the more doth he shut the door against himself, so as he can have no entrance into the school of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore let us look well […] our own slenderness, that we may be so meek, as nothing may• hinder us from hoping continually more and more in our God. And the same ought also too quicken us, and provoke us to serve him, and to confirm our selves continually the more in his word. For what is the cause of so great sloth and coldness as is seen in many men, but that they think themselves too be clerks great enough already?