A17692:117
Four godly sermons against the pollution of idolatries comforting men in persecutions, and teaching…Foure godlye sermons agaynst the pollution of idolatries comforting men in persecutions, and teachyng…
Four godly sermons against the pollution of idolatries comforting men in persecutions, and teaching them what commodities they shall find in Christs church, which were preached in French by the most famous clerk John Calvin, and translated first into Latin and afterward into English by divers godly learned men.Foure godlye sermons agaynst the pollution of idolatries comforting men in persecutions, and teachyng them what commodities thei shal find in Christes church, which were preached in French by the moste famous clarke Ihon Caluyne, and translated fyrst into Latine and afterward into Englishe by diuers godly learned men.
London: printed by Rouland Hall, 1561
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And shall in very deed the only sight of some carcass, or vile Idol, have more force to cause the miscreants that have no faith, to continue obstinate in their ⟨image 86⟩superstitions, then the face and presence of god himself to confirm us and bring us such constancy as is necessary to follow after and attain so great goodness? If we do see this or that which may grief or trouble our minds God calleth us again unto him and willeth us in the beholding and looking upon his face to receive that comfort and pleasure that we may bear patiently other discommodities. Wherefore let this be the shield and refuge to all godly and faithful men that they cleave continually looking upon the face and countenance of god himself, how so ever Satan labour & practise to carry them away. And surely if we can verily and as we ought esteem the face of god, we shall never account any hurt or damage in the loss of other things what soever we suffer. Though to say the truth, the greatest part of them is not so much hindered by doubtfulness of mind as by the want and discommodity of those things that pertain to the body: not but that the children of God have great and sore battles in their conscience when they find these offences whereof we have spoken in those ⟨image 87⟩churches that are called reformed. Wherefore they that are determined to go unto such places where the gospel is preached must be admonished before of many & grievous offences & must prepare themselves to suffer & overcome them: and they that have already tasted & proved those discō modities & impediments ought to confirm themselves most of all, that in despite of Satan they may seek the face of god most constantly. But if all things shall be tried & considered aright there shall be nothing found but very distrust & unbelief which hindereth the multitude and greatest part of men. And as men are very witty to find out excuses, the rich men have theirs of one sort, and the poor bring theirs also. How can it be saith the rich man that I should leave all that I have? Should I thus spoil my self of all my riches & possessions? I have a wife & children we have accustomed to live at ease without any travail.
And shall in verye dede the only syght of some carkas, or vile Idole, haue more force to cause the miscreants that haue no faith, to continue obstinate in theyr ⟨image 86⟩