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…

Howbeit too the intent that the whole may be knit together in one link, let us note briefly, that we can never be allowed of God, nor never do him any service that he may like of, unless we enter into the said battle of offering force and violence unto all our thoughts and affections, too subdue them as prisoners too the obeying of god, and too kill them quite and clean. So much concerning the first point.

Howbeeit too the intent that the whole may be knit toogither in one linke, let vs note briefely, that wee can neuer bee allowed of God, nor neuer doo him any seruice that he may lyke of, vnlesse wee enter intoo the sayd battell of offering force and violence vntoo all our thoughtes and affections, too subdew them as prisoners too the obeying of god, and too kill them quyte and cleane. So much concerning the first poynt.

Now too the end this doctrine might not seem more than needeth: Saint Paul putteth the Ephesians in mind what they had bin. For we know that men are not willing too be rebuked, that is too say, they be loth too abide it, and would rather be spared: insomuch that when any warning is given them, they could find in their hart too put it far from them. On the other side we be so newfangled, that if a man tickle us not in the ear with some new thing, we do as it were despise and disdain it. As for an example, if a man speak too us of walking in the fear of God: who knows not that, say we? Let him go preach that too little children, will many a man say. And ⟨image 228⟩why? Because it seems too them too be but lost time too speak of things that are so well known too them. But doth it therefore follow that they be familiar and in use with them? (No:) for as for them that say, do not we know well enough that God must be loved, honoured, and served, that we must abstain from Theft, Extortion, Lying, Deceit, Blasphemy, Whoredom, and all other such things: are they not the greatest despisers of God and of all right dealing? Yes: but let us hearken what Saint Paul telleth us here. Go too (sayeth he) I exhort you too put of the old man. If ye say you have it not: aduyze your selves well, and consider what you were at the time that God drew you too the knowledge of his Gospel: that is too wit, that ye were as folk lost and utterly forlorn. So then, assure your selves it is not for naught that I exhort you too rid away the old man: for ye be not quite stripped out of him as yet. It was as a double garment about you before, and therefore ye must be fain too labour the earnestlyer as now too lay away the residue that remaineth of it still.