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…

Let us now come to the second error, which is, they would have been honourable at the first, and besides they would have lived according to their harts desire without any pains taking. Now, this is a fault which is common unto us all: for there is never ⟨image 170⟩a man in the world but desireth to reign with Jesus Christ in that everlasting kingdom which he hath promised: But when we are told of the bearing of his Cross, and of fighting against Satan, the world, and our own flesh, when we are told of this, I say, we would gladly draw our selves out of the heap. Wherefore we are so much the rather to consider of this place, to wit, that if we would be partakers of the benefits of Jesus Christ, we must even in this life set our hand to the labour.

Let vs now come to the seconde errour, which is, they woulde haue bene honorable at the first, and besides they would haue lyued according to their harts desire without any paines takinge. Now, this is a falt which is common vnto vs all: for there is neuer ⟨image 170⟩a man in the worlde but desireth to reigne with Iesus Christe in that euerlasting kingdome which he hath promised: But when we are tolde of the bearing of his Crosse, and of fightinge against Satan, the world, and our owne flesh, when we are tolde of this, I say, wée would gladly draw our selues out of the heape. Wherfore wée are so much the rather to consider of this place, to witte, that if we would be partakers of the benefits of Iesus Christ, wee must euen in this lyfe set our hand to the labor.

Would we be conquerors with him? let us then fight whiles we are in the wars. And if we would be partakers of all his benefits we must abide all the miseries which he will have us bear in this world.¹ For as Saint Paul saith, if we be partakers of his sufferings, we shall also be partakers of his joys.