A17694:101
Four sermons of Master John Calvin entreating of matters very profitable for our time,…Foure sermons of Maister Iohn Caluin entreating of matters very profitable for our time,…
Four sermons of Master John Calvin entreating of matters very profitable for our time, as may be seen by the preface: with a brief exposition of the LXXXVII. Psalm. Translated out of French into English by John Field.Foure sermons of Maister Iohn Caluin entreating of matters very profitable for our time, as may bee seene by the preface: with a briefe exposition of the LXXXVII. Psalme. Translated out of Frenche into Englishe by Iohn Fielde.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Thomas Man, 1579
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.
They therefore who doubt whether it be lawful for them to rid themselves forth of such filthy mud, or rather from such an hellish gulf, under the colour of subjection they owe to their earthly Princes, certainly they overthrow the whole order of nature. It is very certain that the prayer that God would have us too make to him for our princes, is agreeable too the authority that he hath given them over us, and also to that duty, wherewith he hath bound us unto them.1 Now Saint Paul exhorteth us, that men should pray unto God for Kings and Magistrates, too the end that we might lead a peaceable and quiet life, with all honesty and fear of God. This subjection and obedience therefore, which we owe unto our earthly Princes, is overmuch stretched out, when they would have the service and honour of the king of heaven to give place unto it. It is very true that those poor Jews must tarry in bondage at Babylon, until that time was fulfilled that god had appointed unto them. But these men with whom I contend, let them show that we are bound ⟨image 49⟩too deprive our selves of our own accord of those same spiritual benefits which God hath bountifully bestowed upon his children. They feel the necessity wherewith they are grievously oppressed, their infirmity provoketh them, and God showeth them the remedy? What reason then is there, that they should not dare too help themselves to the end to complain of those, who snatch the bread out of their hands? There is also another reason of the husband towards the wife, and of the wife towards the husband. Forasmuch as God hath knit them together as it were into one flesh, the one should not do well too forsake the other under colour of seeking God. Not for that they should depart from him to maintain themselves together: but because that each one ought diligently to labour that he might also draw his companion with him. Lo then what they ought to do: that is, that the husband do show the wife, how miserable and unhappy they are, that are separated from the Communion and fellowship of the Faithful, that are destitute of the word and Sacraments, which are the undoubted pledges, too make us assured that God dwelleth with us:
They therefore who doubt whether it bee lawfull for thē to rid themselues foorth of such filthiemud, or rather from such an hellish gulfe, vnder the colour of subiection they owe to their earthly Princes, certainely they ouerthrow the whole order of nature. It is very certaine that the prayer that God woulde haue vs too make to him for our princes, is agreeable too the authoritie that he hath geuen them ouer vs, and also to that duetie, wherewith he hath bound vs vnto them.