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,…

let us remember that this was done unto it of old time. ⟨image 28⟩It is true that God may well give it sometimes certain truces and releasements. And this is it that is said in the Psalm before alleged, he cutteth asunder the cords of the wicked. And in an other place, that he will break their stuff, for fear that the good do not overmuch vex them selves, being too much oppressed. But God would always that his Church should be tossed in this world, and be as it were in a continual conflict, reserving rest for it above in the heavens. Notwithstanding that yet the issue of these afflictions was always blessed, and at the least GOD brought to pass, that being oppressed with many evils, it was never utterly oppressed, as it is said that the wicked with all their forces never attained to that,¹ which they imagined: Saint Paul also rejoiceth him self of the like too show, that this is a continual grace of God:² We (saith he) endure tribulations, but we are not there with distressed, we are poor but we are not destitute: we are persecuted but we are not forsaken: we are cast down but we perish not, every where bearing about in our bodies the dying of our Lord Jesus, too the end that his life may be made manifest in our mortal bodies. Such issue as we see that God hath given in all times in the persecutions of his Church, ought well too encourage us, knowing that our Fathers, who were brittle men as we are, had always the victory over their enemies: in as much as they remained steadfast in patience. But I do but touch this point briefly, to the end I may come to the second, the which more agreeth to our purpose: that it is to make our profit of those particular examples of the Martyrs, which have gone before us.

let vs remember that this was doone vnto it of olde time. ⟨image 28⟩It is true that God may wel geue it sometimes certain truses and releasements. And this is it that is sayde in the Psalme before alleadged, hee cutteth asunder the cordes of the wicked. And in an other place, that he wyll breake theyr stuffe, for feare that the good doe not ouermuch vexe them selues, beeing too muche oppressed. But God woulde alwayes that his Churche shoulde bee tossed in this world, and be as it were in a continuall conflicte, reseruyng reste for it aboue in the heauens. Notwithstanding that yet the issue of these aflictions was alwayes blessed, and at the least GOD brought to passe, that being oppressed with many euyls, it was neuer vtterly oppressed, as it is sayde that the wicked with al their forces neuer attained to that,