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 when he saith, Order my steppes according too thy word: he meaneth, that we can do nothing at all, except God governeth us by his holy spirit. So then, it is not enough that we have the word of God preached unto us, to hear it, and to be exercised in the reading thereof: But it is God that must put to his helping hand over & besides: he it is that must make the preaching of it effectual, and pierce our ears, to the end we might understand that which is set down unto us, and open our eyes when we read, and that altogether by his holy spirit. And thus much for this. For although we have the word of God offered unto us, yet shall we profit nothing thereby until such time as God giveth us understanding to see it. And besides, it is not enough to have the knowledge of the will of God, and to understand the right way to salvation: But God also must lead us him self, and hold us by the hand even unto the end. And why so? For we will never cease drawing backward, when as God shall have faithfully instructed us, if so be he himself doth not still conduct us, and always holdeth us with a strong and mighty arm: because that our rebellious nature will never cease too withdraw us clean contrary. For Saint Paul, who had so greatly profited in the fear of God, and was so very forward therein as the like was not in his time, yet ceased he not still too say, I see two laws in my self: I have a desire to serve God, ¹but yet there is another thing also which leadeth me to the contrary, so that I do the evil with I abhor, and would not do: and if I do any good, it is not done with so cheerful an affection as I would. See here in what sort Saint Paul complaineth ⟨image 151⟩him self, and in the end concludeth and sayeth: Alas most wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me out of this prison? If Saint Paul used this kind of speech,² what shall become of us, when we shall be no whit guided by the spirit of God? I beseech you what shall the bare doctrine profit us? It is meet then, that after God shall have taught us, that he also guide us, & after, that he give us the power and strength to follow him, and too confirm, imprint and engrave his law in our hearts, as also it is sufficiently set down in the scripture touching the same.

Nowe when he sayth, Order my steppes according too thy word: he meaneth, that we can doe nothing at all, excepte God gouerneth vs by his holy spirit. So then, it is not enough that we haue the woorde of God preached vnto vs, to heare it, and to be exercised in the reading thereof: But it is God that must put to his helping hand ouer & besids: he it is that must make the preaching of it effectuall, and pearce our eares, to the ende wee might vnderstande that which is set downe vnto vs, and open our eyes when wee reade, and that altogither by his holy spirit. And thus much for this. For although we haue the woorde of God offred vnto vs, yet shall wee profite nothing thereby vntill such time as God giueth vs vnderstanding to see it. And besides, it is not inough to haue the knowledge of the will of God, and to vnderstand the right way to saluation: But God also must leade vs him selfe, and holde vs by the hande euen vnto the ende. And why so? For we will neuer cease drawing backward, when as God shall haue faithfully instructed vs, if so be he himself doth not stil conduct vs, and alwayes holdeth vs with a stronge and mightie arme: because that our rebellious nature will neuer cease too withdrawe vs cleane contrary. For Saint Paule, who had so greatly profited in the feare of God, and was so very forwarde therein as the like was not in his time, yet ceased hee not still too say, I see two lawes in my selfe: I haue a desire to serue God,