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 hereupon S. Paul telleth us, that we must try and examine what things please God. And this reacheth further than that which he ⟨p. 252⟩hath said: for it showeth us which is the true rule, which if we follow, we cannot do amiss: namely too frame our selves according too Gods will.¹ And truly we know that the fear of him is not without cause called the true wisdom. For whereof cometh it that men overshoot themselves into all evil,² but because they forget God, and bury the remembrance of his name and majesty? For they that have God in their minds, shall ever be restrained as it were with a bridle. Although their flesh tempt them too evil: yet will they resist, and consider that as long as they live in this world, they must spend their life in his service that gave it them. Then if our minds be upon God, surely it will arm us and give us strength against all temptations. And S. Paul sayeth here, that we must examine well what things please him: wherein he wakeneth up our recklessness. For in the foresaid despising of God which I spake of, there are two things. The one is that men fall asleep in soothing themselves, and think not that ever they shall come too account, and thereupon do rest so soundly, as if it were in us to make good or evil. And afterward they fall outrageously too flinging themselves at all adventure against God. Therefore it is not enough for us not too fight wilfully against God, nor too play the wild beasts, or the (mad) Bulls, which push every way with their horns: that is not enough: but we must be watchful in inquiring throughly what is lawful for us, that we may discern between the things that God permitteth, and the things that he disalloweth. Too be short, the first thing that Saint Paul showeth us here, is, hat our life shall never be well ordered, until it be wholly conformable too Gods will. Mark that for one point.

Now hereupon S. Paule telleth vs, that we must trye and examin what things please God. And this reacheth further than that which he ⟨p. 252⟩hath sayd: for it sheweth vs which is the trew rule, which if wee followe, wee cannot doo amisse: namely too frame our selues according too Gods will.