Divers sermons of Master John Calvin, concerning the divinity, humanity, and nativity of our…Diuers sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, concerning the diuinitie, humanitie, and natiuitie of our…

But it is out of all doubt, that our unthankfulness is the cause why God sendeth not moe faithful Pastors at this present then are: for if there be any that will dutifully discharge their office, and deliver the word of God freely (as Saint Paul commandeth) reproving sin, and setting them selves against iniquity, for the maintenance ⟨image 6⟩of his honour, by whom they are sent, they are forthwith furiously dealt with, railed on, and slandered. As questionless, the party before said, who for his uprightness, and great fidelity by him used in the executing of his charge, hath gotten such a mighty number of enemies, as that they which never see nor heard him, neither yet ever read two words of his works, have wished his death. Howbeit, God be thanked for it, his good conscience and the testimony which he had before God, his Angels, and the faithful which daily heard him, did so assure him that men did him wrong for wishing of him so great hurt, as that they encouraged him, constantly to pursue the Lords works. He saw how hardly his master was dealt with, and after him the Apostles: and therefore it grieved him not to follow their steppes, because he knew that God was of power able to defend and keep his pledge, and that they which suffered for his sake, should be taken to be worthy of the kingdom of heaven. Now, because all men could not be of that Church whereby they might be partakers of the heavenly food which this good shepherd many years ceased not to administer: and that it was very expedient that they which were newly come to the charge which he had, might see his manner of teaching, and so follow it:

But it is out of al doubt, that our vnthankfulnesse is the cause why God sendeth not moe faithfull Pastours at this present then are: for if there bee any that will duetifully discharge their office, and deliuer the word of God freely (as Saint Paule commaundeth) reproouing sinne, and setting them selues against iniquitie, for the maintenaunce ⟨image 6⟩of his honour, by whom they are sent, they are foorthwith furiously dealt with, rayled on, and slaundered. As questionlesse, the partie before saide, who for his vprightnesse, and great fidelitie by him vsed in the executing of his charge, hath gotten such a mightie number of enemies, as that they which neuer see nor heard him, neither yet euer read two wordes of his woorkes, haue wished his death. Howbeit, God be thanked for it, his good conscience and the testimonie which hee had before God, his Angelles, and the faithful which daily heard him, did so assure him that men did him wrong for wishing of him so great hurt, as that they encouraged him, constantly to pursue the Lordes workes. He sawe howe hardly his maister was dealt with, and after him the Apostles: and therefore it greeued him not to follow their steppes, because he knew that God was of power able to defende and keepe his pledge, and that they which suffred for his sake, should be taken to be worthie of the kingdome of heauen. Nowe, because all men could not bee of that Church whereby they might be partakers of the heauenly foode which this good shepheard many yeares ceased not to administer: and that it was very expedient that they which were newly come to the charge which hee had, might see his manner of teaching, and so followe it: