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,…

Now this doctrine as it is general, so ought it to be put in practice of all Christians: But every one ought to apply it to his own use as necessity shall require. I speak this to the end that they which see them selves in no apparent danger, should not think that it is superfluous unto them. They are not at this time in the hands of Tyrants: but what know they how God will deal with them hereafter? Wherefore we ought to be so armed afore hand, that if any persecution, which we have not thought upon shall come upon us, we be not taken at unawares & unprovided. But I fear me that there are a great sort of deaf ears to hear this word. So far of is it that they which are nice & live at their ease, prepare themselves to suffer death when need shall be, that they have no care too serve God whiles they live. And yet nevertheless this ought to be our ordinary and continual study, and specially in this time wherein we live. In the mean time they whom God hath called to suffer for the testimony of his name, ought too show in very deed that they were prepared long before, too stand thereto constantly. And then they ought to call into their remembrance all the exhortations that they have heard in times paste: as if a soldier should take arms when the Trumpet doeth sound. But what? there is no question of seeking starting holes to escape: I speak in respect of the greatest part: For persecution ⟨p. 23⟩is a true touchstone whereby god discovereth and trieth who are his. So far of is it, that he should many times find who is faithful unto him, until that they frankly offer them selves to death. But this is as it were an incredible thing, that people which boast of some little knowledge of the Gospel, dare open their mouth to use such cavillations: For one sort say, what shall we gain to confess our faith to obstinate people, and to such who have determined to fight against God? Is not this to cast precious stones before swine.¹ As though Jesus Christ had not expressly declared that he will that men confess him amongst the most perverse and wickedest men. If they be not thereby edified, yet at the least they remain confounded: of such a sweet smelling favour is that confession before God, how deadly soever it be too the reprobate. Others also may be found who say, what shall our death profit? It rather falleth out to an offence.

Nowe this doctrine as it is generall, so ought it to bee putte in practice of all Christians: But euery one ought to applie it to his own vse as necessitie shal require. I speake this to the end that they which see thē selues in no apparant daunger, shoulde not think that it is superfluous vnto them. They are not at this time in the handes of Tyrantes: but what know they how God wyll deale with them heareafter? Wherefore we ought to be so armed afore hande, that if any persecution, which we haue not thought vpon shal come vpon vs, we be not takē at vnwares & vnprouided. But I feare me that there are a great sorte of deafe eares to heare this worde. So farre of is it that they which are nice & liue at theyr ease, prepare themselues to suffer death when neede shalbe, that they haue no care too serue God whiles they liue. And yet neuertheles this ought to be our ordinary and continuall studie, and specially in this time wherein wee liue. In the meane time they whome God hath called to suffer for the testimony of his name, ought too shewe in verye deede that they were prepared long before, too stand thereto constantly. And then they ought to call into their remembraunce all the exhortations that they haue hearde in times paste: as yf a souldier shoulde take armes when the Trumpet doeth sounde. But what? there is no questiō of seeking starting holes to escape: I speake in respect of the greatest part: For persecution