The Institution of Christian Religion

He only, only should have been preached, he only set fourth, he only named, he only ben looked unto, when the obtaining of forgiveness of sins, satisfaction, and sanctification are entreated of. But let us hear their curtailed arguments. Least the blood of the Martyrs should be shed in vain, therefore let it be employed to the common benefit of the Church. Is it so? was it no profit to glorify God by their death? to subscribe to his truth with their blood? by despising this present life, to testify that they sought for a ⟨p. 154⟩better life? by their steadfastness to strengthen the faith of the church, and overcome the stubbornness of the enemies? But this is the matter in deed: they acknowledge no profit of the Martyrs death, if Christ only be the propitiator, if he only died for our sins, if he only was offered up for our redemption. So (say they) Peter and Paul might nevertheless have obtained the crown of victory, if they had died in their beds. And where as they have fought even to the shedding of their blood, it would not agree with the justice of God to leave the same barren and fruitless. As though God could not tell how to increase in his servants their glory, according to the measure of his gifts. But the church receiveth in commune together profit enough, when it is by their triumphs encouraged to a zealous desire to fight.

He only, only should haue bene preached, he only set fourth, he only named, he only ben loked vnto, when the obteining of forgeuenesse of sinnes, satisfaction, and sanctification are entreated of. But let vs heare their curtalled argumentes. Least the bloud of the Martyrs should be shed in vaine, therfore lette it be employed to the common benefit of the Churche. Is it so? was it no profit to glorifie God by their death? to subscribe to his truthe with theyr bloud? by despisyng this present lyfe, to testifie that they sought for a ⟨p. 154⟩better life? by their stedfastnesse to strengthen the faith of the churche, and ouercome the stubbornes of the enemies? But this is the matter in dede: they acknowledge no profit of the Martyrs death, if Christ only be the proportiator, if he only died for our sinnes, if he only was offred vp for our redemptiō. So (say they) Peter and Paul might neuerthelesse haue obteined the crowne of victory, if they had died in their beds. And where as they haue fought euen to the sheding of their bloude, it would not agree with the iustice of God to leaue the same barren and frutelesse. As though God could not tell how to encrease in his seruantes their glorie, according to the measure of his giftes. But the churche receiueth in commune together profit enough, when it is by their triū phes encouraged to a zelous desire to fight.