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 although men think that it serveth too give them light, and too show them the way: yet is it certain that it doth but always tumble them into the pit: and whereas they ween themselves too be well advised, they shall be stark beasts. And the cause why this is told us continually, is too do us too understand, that God must be fain too reform us, not by half, but all whole throughout.

For although men think that it serueth too giue them lyght, and too shew them the way: yit is it certeyne that it dooth but alwayes tumble them intoo the pit: and wheras they weene themselues too bee well aduyzed, they shalbe stark beasts. And the cause why this is told vs continewally, is too doo vs too vnderstand, that God must bee fayne too reforme vs, not by half, but all whole throughout.

And here a man might ask a question: if men (I mean those whom God hath let alone) were without understanding and discretion in that behalf, whether might one see examples of it or no? It is very certain that they be not like horses, nor yet like dogs: but yet let us mark, that all the understanding and discretion which is in us, and all the judgment which it is possible for us too have, serveth too none other end, than too make us unexcusable. Therefore we must understand, that although we have some discretion between good and evil, before God have taught us by his word, and enlightened us […] ⟨p. 201⟩his holy spirit: yet the same •erueth but too bereave us of excuse, that we might not make a buckler of ignorance, as we be w••nt too do. For although every man have not had the written Law, yet must he bear the sentence of damnation about him in his hart, (as sayeth S Paul in the second too the Romans) and God must drive him too perceive it aforehand, by making him to feel har••ytings whether he will or no, so as he shall say, I am guilty in this thing and in that. Thus remaineth there some understanding in men: howbeit not too lead them in the way of salvation, but only too make them so much the more guilty before God. For as touching our affections, it might be said, that there are many which live honestly and without blame, though they never tasted of the Gospel. Yea marry, but in the mean while their hearts are fraughted with malice & stubbornness, and no doubt but that all such as have not bin reformed by Gods spirit, shall still feed a sea of wicked, froward, and malicious lusts within them. And therefore let us not stay upon the outward show,