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,…

Wherein he signifieth that the life of the faithful cannot be too short, so ⟨image 50⟩that GOD show them this grace, that living in this world, they exercise themselves in serving and honouring him, confirming them selves in his promises, & making confession of his name. If any man object that this might well be done in some wilderness, or amongest the enemies of the faith: I answer that it is not without cause, that David expressly mentioneth: the courts of the Temple: For he considered how necessary the order of the Church is too all mortal men especially knowing the bluntness and infirmity that is in them. If this admonition were well imprinted in the hearts of all, all at the least would come into some Christian Church where they might dye quietly and peaceably, and there would not be any one that would not quickly truss up his pack and be trudging. But what seek we? All desire too live, and that at their ease, & every one according to the lust wherewith he is led. And this is the cause why the temple of GOD at this day is neglected and contemned. Yea which is more, there are very many subtle ones, too set before mens eyes evil allurements and stumbling blocks too turn us away from that study of godliness that was in David. They allege what shall it profit us to change the place: whether soever we go, we shall find the world there aswell as in our Country: all at this day is corrupted, there are like offences in all places, and temptations too make men fall from God. I grant them all this. But if the question were of their bodies, and that they were admonished that in some place they might find good physicians, fit remedies and other helps for their health, would they say, that they cared not for them, because ⟨p. 44⟩that men might be sick in any place of the world? I confess that where soever we become, that we shall find many occasions to do evil, and many occasions of falling away: but there is a great difference, whether we have those helps which GOD hath given unto us to keep us in doing our duty and reforming us, or to be quite destitute thereof. Let us put the case that all vices do equally reign in the world, so that the very air is infected therewith, as it were with a Pestilence: Is it not a great advantage to have the preservatives that God hath ordained for his Children?

Wherein he signifieth that the lyfe of the faithfull cannot bee too shorte, soo