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…

But let us come now too the truth whereof Saint Paul speaketh, which is (saith he) that ye put of the old man, which is corrupted with earthly lusts, even according too the conversation that ye have led heretofore. He expresseth yet better that all they which vaunt themselves too be the disciples of Jesus Christ, and yet notwithstanding lead a lawless life, and do but give occasion of offence in the Church, are falsaries, as if a man should bring forth a counterfeit deed. Wherefore let us mark that it is a cursed treachery when we say we intend too be Christians,¹ and profess it also with our mouth, and yet notwithstanding go from the thing in our works which we protest in our words, as sayeth Saint Paul in another place. For he that taketh leave too do all evil, and yet will be taken too be of the number of Gods children: it is certain that he denieth Jesus Christ in his whole life, how much soever he confess him in words. Therefore let us bethink our selves, and consider, that if we mean to be allowed of God, we must learn too rid away our old man. And by that word the scripture meaneth all that we have of nature. For we know there are (as ye would say) two wellsprings of mankind, that is too wit, Adam, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Now as in respect of our first birth, we come all out of the wellspring of Adam, and are corrupted with sinfulness, so as there is nothing but frowardness and cursedness in our souls. It standeth us then on hand too be renewed in Jesus Christ, and too be made new creatures. And for that cause doth the old Man betoken all that we have ⟨image 227⟩by birthright from our fathers. Now then, if a man be let alone in his first state: surely he shall be but a blind wretch full of rebelliousness and spite against God. Too be short, he shall tend all wholly unto evil, for we be altogether sopped in it. That is the thing that is meant by the old man, least we should think that Saint Pauls intent was too rebuke but only the vices that are apparent before men: like as when men will rebuke one that hath played the unthrift for a time, they will say he must cast his old skin. But here Saint Paul passeth yet further:

But let vs come now too the truthe whereof Saint Paule speaketh, which is (sayth he) that yee put of the old man, which is corrupted with earthly lusts, euen according too the conuersation that yee haue led heretoofore. He expresseth yit better that all they which vaunt themselues too bee the disciples of Iesus Christ, and yit notwithstanding leade a lawelesse lyfe, and doo but giue occasion of offence in the Churche, are falsaries, as if a man should bring forth a counterfet deede. Wherfore let vs mark that it is a cursed trecherie when wee say wee intend too bee Christians,