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…

Furthermore, whereas he speaketh of unclothing or putting of: it is a similitude rife enough, (whereby is meant) that we must give over all that is of our own, and cast it quite away, that we may be clothed again with other ornaments, as he will add anon after. And here we see, that there are two parts in ruling our life, and in coming unto God. The one is the forsaking of our selves, and the other is, that we be governed by Gods spirit. For needs must all that is our own be laid down, before God take in hand the guiding of us. And why? For our thoughts and Gods doctrine, our affections and the commandments whereby God will have us too be ruled, are as fire and water. Therefore all that is of our own nature, must be cut of, before God do govern us. And that is the cause why we must begin at the forsaking of our selves: which also is the very order that Saint Paul hath followed in this text. We must (sayeth he) put of the old man.

Furthermore, wheras he speaketh of vnclothing or putting of: it is a similitude ryfe ynough, (wherby is ment) that wee must giue ouer all that is of our owne, and cast it quyte away, that wee may bee clothed agein with other ornaments, as he wil adde anon after. And here we see, that there are twoo partes in ruling our lyfe, and in comming vntoo God. The one is the forsaking of our selues, and the other is, that wee bee gouerned by Gods spirit. For needs must all that is our owne bee layd downe, before God take in hand the guyding of vs. And why? For our thoughts and Gods doctrine, our affections and the commaundements wherby God will haue vs too bee ruled, are as fyre and water. Therfore all that is of our owne nature, must bee cut of, before God doo gouerne vs. And that is the cause why wee must begin at the forsaking of our selues: which also is the verye order that Saint Paule hath followed in this text. Wee must (sayeth he) put of the old man.

And secondly we have too mark, that Jesus Christ was sent us too the end that we should be repaired after the image of God. It is true that he hath reconciled us to God his father by his death & passion, & that the shedding of his blood washeth us from all our filthiness, and setteth us free from damnation, and endless death, and that his offering of himself hath made full satisfaction for us: insomuch that if we resort to Jesus Christ for remission of our sins, God of his own free goodness accepteth us for righteous, because he passeth not what we be, but burieth all our faults, and ceaseth not to favour us as his children, notwithstanding that we be wretched sinners. This benefit receive we by Jesus Christ. But yet must we not separate the second