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…

Thus we see how we should lift up our faith to the end that nothing which is here below, might be any let why Jesus ⟨image 110⟩Christ should not rule over us. And this is it which we have to consider of in this place. But because God worketh after a strange & incomprehensible manner, it should confirm us a great deal the more. For if the Gospel were preached by men of great estimation, so that kings and princes, and all honourable estates every where submitted themselves unto it, & that it might be thus concluded whereunto we must stick, This is the heavenly trueth which we must agree unto? And every man is to favour it, and to put to all his force and substance. Now, this were like unto a far ground well tilled, planted with trees & vines, & sown with wheat, which at the world helpeth, & spareth for no cost. When land, then, is this tilled, & hath rain in due season: and should continue so, ever after: and to be short, no cost to be spared: Why? Surely this were the very natural & kindly handling of ground: and therefore a man would think, that God had not put his hand hereunto. But when we see what disputations and resistances are at this day to oppress the gospel, & what a number of hired tongues for the same purpose (for not only the popish hypocrites at this day, let out their tongues like common harlots to blaspheme God & his word, but also a many of curs even amongst us) yet shall we besides likewise see what cruelty they use against the poor children of God, laying continually strange platforms to the devising of Edict, upon Edict, to bring this doctrine utterly to naught. We shall also see at this day what vile and scornful speeches profane men will have, because they would abolish all religion. And therefore when we look upon all these things we must needs conclude that God is above them all, & the doctrine victorious, & proceedeth from him▪ Wherefore, this ought to confirm us, that although we see there is nothing in the world to advance the dominion of our Lord Jesus Christ, & the doctrine of his gospel, but that all things rather hinder it: yet notwithstanding, that it findeth an entrance & keepeth his course. In the mean while we are convinced of unthankfulness, if we take any offence thereat, seeing God calleth us unto himself, & showeth us, that it is his handy work:

Thus we sée how we should lift vp our faith to the end yt nothing which is héere below, might bee any let why Iesus ⟨image 110⟩