A17693:10
A sermon of the famous and Godly learned man, master John Calvin chief Minister…A sermon of the famous and Godly learned man, master Iohn Caluine chiefe Minister…
A sermon of the famous and Godly learned man, master John Calvin chief Minister and Pastor of Christs church at Geneva, containing an exhortation to suffer persecution for following Jesus Christ and his Gospel, upon this text following. Heb. 13. 13. Go ye out of the tents after Christ, bearing his rebuke. Translated out of French into english,A sermon of the famous and Godly learned man, master Iohn Caluine chiefe Minister and Pastour of Christs church at Geneua, conteining an exhortation to suffer persecution for followinge Iesus Christe and his Gospell, vpon this text following. Heb. 13. 13. Go ye out of the tents after Christe, bearing his rebuke. Translated out of French into english,
London: printed by Robert Waldegrave for Edward White, 1581London: printed by Robert VValdegraue for Edward VVhite, 1581
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.
But also that we be well persuaded of the life celestial, and of the crown which is there promised us, after that we have striven here beneath. In the mean while note that both these two points be requisite,1 and that no man ought to separate the one from the other, it is meet therefore for us to begin at this point, to know well what our Christianity is, what the faith is which we must maintain and follow, what is the rule that God hath given us,2 and that we be defended with such instruction, that we can boldly condemn all false lies, errors and superstitions, which the devil hath brought in for to corrupt the pure simplicity ⟨image 4⟩of the doctrine of God: wherefore a man must not be amazed if he see not at this present day,3 very many persons that be disposed for the gospel to suffer, & that the greatest part of those which name themselves Christians, knoweth not what it is. For all be in manner negligent, & make no account, neither to hear, neither to read, but it is enough for them that they have had a little taste of the faith of Christ, behold then, wherefore there be so few of others, but if they be assaulted, they will by and by run away. This ought to stir us up to enquire more diligently of the trueth of God, because we might be certain thereof. But yet this is not all,4 that we should be taught well and have intelligence, for we may see, such as seem to be perfect in good doctrine, the which notwithstanding have neither zeal, neither affection in them, no more then if they had never known any thing of God, but after some fantastical will. And wherefore is that, but in as much they never before comprehended the majesty of the holy scripture.
But also that we be well persuaded of the life celestiall, and of the crowne whiche is there promised vs, after that we haue striuen here beneath. In the meane while note that both these two points be requisit,1 and that no man ought to seperate the one from the other, it is meete therefore for vs to begin at this point, to knowe well what our Christanitye is, what the fayth is which we must mayntein and follow, what is the rule that God hath giuen vs,