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…

Therefore we must fight against our own vices, until all that is of our own nature be done away. Not that that can be done in one day: but that we must go towards it continually more and more. And further let us assure our selves, that our Lord Jesus Christ is given us for a pattern and example: and moreover, that it is his office, too reform us so by the spirit of God his father, as we may walk in newness of life, and become Gods creatures, and as all that ever we have drawn from the corruption of Adams sin, may be quite cleansed away. Therewithal let us consider also what is the pith of the things that God alloweth, & which is the rule of good life: namely first too honour and serve God, and afterward too walk (neighbourly) one with another, endeavouring too do good too such as have need of us, and abstaining from doing all manner of evil and harm. This doctrine were easy enough too conceive, so we were not utterly perverted by our wicked affections. And soothly, there is not that man which is not a great Doctor in preaching unto other men: but yet as clear and apparently known as these things are, no man can apply them too his own use. Yet shall there be no excuse for us, when we shall be fain too come too account before the great judge. Wherefore let us bear this doctrine well in mind, yea and let us give good heed too it, seeing it is so ill put in ure through the whole world.

Therefore wee must fyght ageinst our owne vyces, vntyll all that is of our owne nature bee doone away. Not that that can bee doone in one day: but that wee must go towardes it continewally more and more. And further let vs assure our selues, that our Lord Iesus Christ is giuen vs for a patterne and example: and moreouer, that it is his office, too reforme vs so by the spitit of God his father, as wee may walke in newnesse of lyfe, and become Gods creatures, and as all that euer wee haue drawen from the corruption of Adams sin, may bee quyte clenzed away. Therwithall let vs consider also what is the pith of the things that God alloweth, & which is the rule of good lyfe: namely first too honour and serue God, and afterward too walke (neyghbourly) one with another, indeuering too doo good too such as haue neede of vs, and absteyning from dooing all manner of euyll and harme. This doctrine were easie ynough too conceyue, so wee were not vtterly peruerted by our wicked affections. And soothly, there is not that man which is not a great Doctor in preaching vntoo other men: but yit as cleere and apparantly knowen as these things are, no man can apply them too his owne vse. Yit shall there bee no excuce for vs, when wee shall be fayne too come too account before the great iudge. Wherefore let vs beare this doctrine well in mynd, yea and let vs gyue good heede too it, seeyng it is so yll put in vre through the whole world.