A17692:132
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.
When as all things go well with the children of this world, we see how greatly their own state doth please them, & how wonderfully with a proud contempt of the church they do extol the same. Yea & although they be brought under with the plagues of god yet do they not forget their carnal confidence where with they are drunken. But in the mean season they carelessly despise religion & the true worship of god: forsomuch as they being content with delicate & pleasant things as riches and the brightness of dignity and honour think themselves blessed with out God. And it cometh often to pass that god doth as it were make such men fall with all kind of good things to the intent that at the length he may punish them justly ⟨image 98⟩and in due time for their unthankfulness: and that his church may be oppressed or at the least kept under a law and humble degree to the intent that it may seem miserable to it self & be subject to contempt.
WHen as al things go wel with the childrē of this world, we see howe greatly their own state doth please them, & how wonderfully wt a proude contempte of the church thei do extol the same. Yea & although thei be brought vnder with ye plagues of god yet do they not forget their carnal confidence wher with thei are droncken. But in the meane season they carelesly despice religiō & the true worship of god: forsomuch as thei being content wt delicate & pleasant thinges as riches and the brightnes of dignity and honor thinke themselues blessed wt out God. And it cometh often to passe yt god doth as it wer make such men fall wt all kynde of good things to the intent yt at the length he mai punishe them iustly ⟨image 98⟩and in due time for their vnthankfulnes: and that his church maye be oppressed or at the least kept vnder a law and humble degre to the intent that it may seme miserable to it self & be subiect to contempt.
Therefore least that this vain show deceive the faithful it is needful they be called to another consideration to wit that they do conclude that that is true which the .xxxiii. Psalm doth teach. That blessed is the people to whom the lord is God. Therefore let the effect of this Psalm be, that the church of god though it be but one yet doth it excel all the kingdoms and common wealths of this world because god is chief ruler of this common wealth and it is governed by his empire. First to the intent it may abide safe amongest the raging tumults and fearful tempests where with the whole world is often shaken. Secondly and chiefly that it being wonderfully kept by the help of the same God may, at the length after this long warfare