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,…

or rather, that he had not satisfied them already which came to ask him further, as it were laying nets to catch him. Wherefore let this point remain resolute amongst all christians: that is, that they ought not to account their lives more dear ⟨p. 24⟩then the testimony of the trueth, inasmuch as God will be glorified in it. Is it in vain that he calleth all those witnesses (for the word Martyrs signifieth the same) that have answered to the enemies of the faith? Is it not because he would have them serve too such purpose? And here every one must not look to his fellow and companion: For God doth not show this honour to all to call them thereto. And forasmuch as we are given to mark others, the more we ought to take heed thereof.¹ Peter having heard at the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he should be led in his old age whether he would not, asketh what should become of John his companion. There is none of us but he would willingly make such a reply. For this we imagine by and by: Why do I rather suffer then others? But contrariwise Jesus Christ exhorteth all in general, and every one in particular, always to be ready, to the end that as he shall call either one or other, every man may march forth in his rank & order. I have showed before that we shall be ill appointed to suffer Martyrdom, unless that we be armed with Gods promises. It remaineth now that we lay out a little more fully whereto they tend, not to specify all by piecemeal and exactly: but to show the principal things, that god would have us to hope for, to the end to comfort us in our afflictions. Now these are briefly 3. things. The first is, that forasmuch as our life and death are in his hand, that he will in such sort preserve us by his power, that not one hear of our heads shall fall but by his licence.

or rather, that he had not satified them already which came to aske him further, as it were laying nettes to catch him. Wherfore let this point remain resolute amongst al christians: that is, that they ought not to accoūt their liues more deare ⟨p. 24⟩then the testimony of the trueth, inasmuch as God wil be glorified in it. Is it in vaine that hee calleth all those witnesses (for the worde Martyrs signifieth the same) that haue answered to the enimies of the faith? Is it not because hee woulde haue them serue too suche purpose? And here euery one must not looke to his felow and companion: For God doth not shew this honour to all to call them therto. And forasmuch as wee are geuen to marke others, the more we ought to take heede therof.