A17694:82
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.
Wherefore my brethren let us take good heed that we suffer not our selves, to be made brutish by the Devil & by the world, to the end that we have not always this benefit in estimation above all others: that is to say, to be maintained in the flock of god, under the outward order & government which he hath placed amongst his own. And this is yet better expressed unto us by that which David addeth: that is, that he will require again the thing which he before had asked. Whereby he signifieth that he had not some sudden devotion, which was quickly cooled, but that he was constant & still remained searching after this benefit, we shall see some which will be so well affected for a little time, that it seemeth the next day, they would forsake all that ever they have: but this constancy whereof David speaketh is a very rare thing. ⟨image 39⟩yea the most part in steed of blowing the fire to kindle the good zeal that God hath put in them, do wittingly quench it. We have the like testimony concerning David in the Psalm which I have already rehearsed: for because that it might have been laid before him that being driven out of the Country of Judea, he might have gone here or there too some other place: He crieth out Thy Altars O Lord of Hosts, my God and my King. As if he should have said that he could not find a delectable place, although that he possest all the palaces in the world, when he had no entrance into the Temple of GOD. He complaineth that the Sparrows and the Swallows found a place there to make their Nests, and that his condition was worse. And why was this? Was it because he had neither chamber nor Kitchen? He saith not so but because he found no good nor meet place, forasmuch as he was shut out and driven away from the Altars of GOD. It is very certain that if this doctrine were entered into our hearts, we should not be so, neither one sort so hindered, nor the other so quite turned away from exercising our selves in the means that God hath put into our hand, to help us forward in the path of everlasting life. But what is the cause thereof? Ambition holdeth back the one sort with dignities or high promotions, and enticeth others to purchase and to seek them. Covetousness inflameth and carrieth away others: many have nothing in their heart but their vain pleasures and wanton delights. Yea, all languish and wallow in their lusts?
Wherfore my brethrē let vs take good heede that we suffer not our selues, to be made brutish by the Deuil & by the world, to the end that we haue not alwaies this benefit in estimatiō aboue al others: that is to say, to be mainteined in the flock of god, vnder the outward order & gouernment which he hath placed amongst his owne. And this is yet better expressed vnto vs by that which Dauid addeth: that is, that he wil require again the thīg which he before had asked. Wherby he signifieth that he had not some sodain deuotiō, which was quickly cooled, but that he was cōstāt & stil remained searching after this benefite, wee shall see some which wil bee so well affected for a little time, that it seemeth the next day, they would forsak al that euer they haue: but this cōstācie wherof Dauid speaketh is a very rare thing.