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…

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 even as though we could do somewhat of our selves: but yet he addeth, that it must be in fear and trembling, that is too say, with putting away of all presumption, knowing that it behoveth us too depend upon another: and he addeth the reason, for it is God (sayeth he) which giveth both the will and the ability too perform it, and all of his own free goodness. After that manner then must we endeavour our selves. But yet must we not therefore conceive a vain overweening in the mean while, as though we had some shift, and were able on our own side too do never so little without Gods grace: Saint Paul exhorteth us rather too fear and wariness. And why? For seeing we be as weak as may be, and not only that, but also stark dead, and as good as rotten carrions in all cases of our salvation, & have not so much as one good thought of our own: seeing (I say) that we have all at Gods hand,² and that he must be fain too work it by the power of his holy spirit: let us learn too walk in humility. And moreover, let us not cease too make his grace available, assuring our selves that his working by his power shall be always in such wise, as the praise must ever redound too him alone, and no drop of it remain over too our selves.

Now Saint Paule sayeth, that the nevve man is created after God and his image. And therin he confirmeth the matter which I go about too touch: that is too wit, that although wee streyne our selues too the vttermost that wee can, yit can wee doo nothing, vnlesse wee bee preuented by Gods grace. Which of vs can bee his owne maker? Wee knowe that that honour must bee reserued vntoo God alone. But heere the cace standeth vppon a new creating. That therefore cannot bee in mans will, nor yit in his power. And Saynt Paule also hath dispatched that doubt and scruple, in saying that the newe man is created of God. As if he should say, my frendes, In dede ye ought not to abuse the grace that is offered you by the Gospell: but yit for all that, assure your selues that when yee haue streyned your selues what yee can, too dedicate your selues too Gods seruice,