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…

I have told you already, that it is the utter changing of us both in our thoughts and in our desires, and (too be short) in all the parts of our soul. Now is not such an alteration the special work of God, and the gift of his holy spirit? Saint Paul therefore meaneth not that we can do any thing as of our own power: but yet that every of us ought too strain himself too follow whither soever he calleth us. And therewithal he warneth us that all our life is very daungerful until we change, and that the newness appear in us.

I haue tolde you already, that it is the vtter chaunging of vs both in our thoughts and in our desyres, and (too bee short) in all the partes of our soule. Now is not such an alteration the speciall woorke of God, and the gift of hys holy spirit? Saint Paule therefore meaneth not that wee can doo any thing as of our owne power: but yit that euery of vs ought too streyne himselfe too followe whither soeuer he calleth vs. And therewithall he warneth vs that all our lyfe is very daungerful vntill wee chaunge, and that the newnesse appeere in vs.

Now Saint Paul sayeth, that the new man is created after God and his image. And therein he confirmeth the matter which I go about too touch: that is too wit, that although we strain our selves too the uttermost that we can, yet can we do nothing, unless we be prevented by Gods grace. Which of us can be his own maker? We know that that honour must be reserved unto God alone. But here the case standeth upon a new creating. That therefore cannot be in mans will, nor yet in his power. And Saint Paul also hath dispatched that doubt and scruple, in saying that the new man is created of God. As if he should say, my friends, In deed ye ought not to abuse the grace that is offered you by the Gospel: but yet for all that, assure your selves that when ye have strained your selves what ye can, too dedicate your selves too Gods service, ⟨p. 213⟩ye can do nothing furtherfoorth than he worketh in you by his holy spirit. According whereunto he sayeth in another place, that we do work our own salvation,¹