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…

and therefore let no man deceive himself, but let us consider that we be not only full of hypocrisy, but also utterly past shame, when we fashion not our selves like unto God, and yet will needs be held and taken for his children. True it is, that too be so fashioned like unto God, and too resemble him so fully, as one man cometh near unto another, is unpossible: but yet must we not be out of hart for all that. And soothly we must call too mind how the scripture sayeth, that if we go on too Godward, although we be far of from the mark that we aim at, yet doth he accept that willingness of ours, when we keep our way and endeavour continually too go on forward still.

and therefore let no man deceyue himselfe, but let vs consider that wee bee not onely full of hypocrisie, but also vtterly past shame, when wee fashion not our selues lyke vntoo God, and yit will needes bee hild and taken for his children. Trew it is, that too bee so fashyoned lyke vntoo God, and too resemble him so fully, as one man commeth neere vntoo another, is vnpossible: but yit must wee not bee out of hart for all that. And soothly wee must call too mynd how the scripture sayeth, that if wee go on too Godward, although wee bee farre of from the marke that wee ame at, yit dooth he accept that willingnesse of ours, when wee keepe our way and indeuer continually too go on forwarde styll.

Although we be slow and weak, and although we trip and stumble, yet God imputeth none of those faults unto us, when we be desirous too fashion our selves like too him. When we shoot at that mark, although we be far short or wide of it, yet doth God take it in good worth, as I said. And that ought too give us courage? For if we should be driven too fashion our selves like unto God point by point in all respects: alas how could it be done? For even the very Angels, notwithstanding that there be nothing but holiness in them, and that Gods glory shine forth in them: are yet far short from the perfection that is in God. A•d what are we then, which be so corrupted and marred, which have such abundance of naughtiness, and which are so plucked back and turned away, by so many vices and temptations which Satan trumpeth in our way? yet have we this too rejoice of, that our Lord beareth with us, and accepteth all our doings in good part, so we keep on towards him. That is the manner of following him, which is commanded us here. True it is that we must not in the mean while fall asleep,