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 in that he is the first borne of the dead, he is also the first fruits of all those which shall rise again. Let us then understand,¹ that because the Son of God, is not only in his own essence or being, and in his divine majesty immortal, but also in his flesh, and human nature, that it is to this end, that his church might be always preserved in this world, & never decay. True it is, we shall see great troubles, and indeed a man would think many times, that the church of God, should utterly perish: for, if there arise never so small a tempest, the surges will by and by, be so mighty & horrible, as that a man would say, all were lost, & clean dashed. And this is so common a thing as may be. For, what outward show of maintenance can there be to the church of God, whenas it is assailed thus on all hands? must it not needs be thought, that it cannot be but utterly overthrown, whenas it is thus wonderfully assaulted? howbeit, this is the truth of it, we must be fain to resort to our head. Wherefore, since the age of our Lord Jesus is without end, and that all the changes in the world cannot stay him from having a very good eye unto his church, although the temptations were far greater, and more violent then they are, yet let not us shrink at the matter. And this is not to be applied only to the whole company of the faithful, but also to every one of us. And therefore let us understand and be throughly persuaded, that although our Life be but a blast, & we ready every minute to vanish away, yet notwithstanding that we have a life which lasteth for ever, because we are the members of our Lord Jesus Christ. Moreover, let us eftsoons learn, to walk through this world, since this is not our life, which we here presently enjoy, but a pilgrimage which we must pass on quickly, until such time as we have come unto our quiet inheritance. Thus we see, that in hoping for everlasting life, we must forsake all this, which is but a shadow: & not suffer our senses to be enfolded in that which we openly see, and may occasion us to tarry still here in this world: for surely, as many as have their minds set here on this ⟨image 126⟩life, without doubt do thereby separate themselves from the son of God, and are unworthy to have any part or portion with him in his everlasting kingdom.

but in that he is the first borne of the dead, he is also the first fruits of all those which shall rise againe. Let vs then vnderstande,