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…

but in the mean while we step forth at all adventure in serving God. And although we pretend great zeal in seeking the heavenly life: yet we show thereby that we make none account of it, and that all that ever we do is but for fashions sake, and as it were taskwork. Therefore let us mark well that men shall not be so sore condemned, when their rebelling against God is not wilfully and of set purpose, as when they harden themselves in their frowardness. True it is that men shall do some things without looking nearly too them: but yet must they look whether God like of them or no. The thing wherein we must be wizzest and best advised, is not too make our own profit after the manner of the world, which counteth the wilyest folk wizzest, but too get us spiritual discretion, too know what things God alloweth, and too follow the same.

but in the meane whyle wee step forth at aladuenture in seruing God. And although we pretend great zele in seeking the heauenly lyfe: yit we shew therby that wee make none account of it, and that all that euer wee doo is but for fashyons sake, and as it were taskwoorke. Therefore let vs marke well that men shall not bee so sore condemned, when their rebelling ageinst God is not wilfully and of set purpose, as when they harden themselues in their frowardnesse. Trew it is that men shall doo some things without looking neerly too them: but yit must they looke whether God lyke of them or no. The thing wherin wee must bee wyzest and best aduyzed, is not too make our owne profit after the manner of the world, which counteth the wylyest folke wyzest, but too get vs spirituall discretion, too know what things God alloweth, and too followe the same.

Now hereupon he addeth also, that we must not have too do with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather rebuke them. This is not added without great reason. For although we be well disposed too frame our life according too Gods word: yet shall we ⟨image 272⟩be shouldered from it, if we learn not too resist all temptations. Truly although we saw no vices about us too withdraw our obedience from God: yet have we such store of vices already in us, that we must needs have profited very well in Gods school, before we can be disposed too submit our selves in true obedience, and to say, Lord reign thou over us, and let thine only will be our rule. But yet let us put the case, that we were come so far forth, as too feel no resistance nor gainsaying in our selves, but that we could so subdue all our affections, that they might after a sort be ruly: yet notwithstanding, the devil never ceaseth too assail us on all sides, one while by light biekerings, another by undermining, and another while by giving alarums & open assaults, so as he will soon overwhelm us, except we be well fortified, & God have given us invincible power to withstand all his policies. That is the cause why Saint Paul addeth, that we should not have too do with the unfruitful works of darkness. As if he should say, my friends, I know well that the uneasiness of going unto God in this world, will be as a block too keep you back from doing of your duty. And although ye know that God ought too have the mastery, and that we ought too be under his subjection: yet notwithstanding when ye be conversant with the despisers of God, and with unholy persons, it is very hard for you too walk uncorruptly. For look how many vices reign, so many infections are there too attaint you, and it is very hard for you too scape unperverted, like as it cannot be but that we must feel some prickings when we walk among thorns. Forasmuch then as there is such abundance of corruptions through the whole world, as a man can scarcely remove one foot but he shall stumble upon some evil or other: It standeth us on hand too have great strength too maintain us unimpeached in the serving of God: or else we must be utterly urned away from his obedience. But what for that? There is no excuse for us, sayeth Saint Paul.