Two and twenty sermons of Master John Calvin In which sermons is most religiously…Two and twentie sermons of Maister Iohn Caluin In which sermons is most religiously…

Now if this admonition hath been always necessary, it is more needful at this day then ever it was. For we see that the world is grown too a monstrous heap of all iniquity, that we are not able too step forth one step, but that we shall meet with great store of evil and dangerous encounters, which might weary and withdraw us, and carry us to do wickedly in all kind of things. Therefore we ought so much the rather to practise this doctrine, That the wicked have imagined lies against us: but yet that we have kept the law of God. For the lies which the proud and the enemies of God do imagine against us, are not of one kind. For sometimes they will seduce us under the colour of Friendship, sometimes they will charge us with a great many of things to make us faint hearted, sometimes they will make such a confusion of all, that we shall not be able to discern between white and black. We must then be so much the more well advised, and stand the surer upon our guard. And although the devil transform himself so into diverse manners, let not us leave to keep the law of God, yea and that with out whole heart: which is a thing that we ought diligently to mark. For if we have but only some little and feeble affection too follow God, we shall soon be very weary thereof. Our heart therefore must be wholly addicted thereto, for else we shall never be able to make our part good against Satan. Now it is said a little after,

Nowe if this admonition hath beene alwaies necessary, it is more needefull at this day then euer it was. For wee see that the worlde is growne too a monstrous heape of all iniquitie, that we are not able too step foorth one step, but that we shall meete with great store of euil and daungerous incounters, which might weary and withdrawe vs, and carry vs to doe wickedly in all kinde of thinges. Therefore we ought so much the rather to practise this doctrine, That the wicked haue imagined lyes against vs: but yet that wee haue kept the lawe of God. For the lyes which the proude and the enemyes of God doe imagine against vs, are not of one kinde. For sometimes they wil seduce vs vnder the colour of Friendship, sometimes they will charge vs with a great many of thinges to make vs faint harted, sometimes they will make such a confusion of all, that we shall not be able to discerne betweene white and black. We must then be so much the more well aduised, and stand the surer vpon our garde. And although the deuill transforme himselfe so into diuerse manners, let not vs leaue to keepe the lawe of God, yea and that with out whole hearte: which is a thing that we ought diligently to mark. For if we haue but only some little and feeble affection too followe God, wee shall soone be very weary thereof. Our heart therfore must be wholy addicted thereto, for els we shall neuer be able to make our parte good againste Satan. Nowe it is sayde a little after,