A17694:85
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.
but to declare how his will is, to govern and to lead them. For this is certain that seeing our weakness, he hath given unto us as it were crutches & staves for us to stay upon. What folly were it I pray you, when we feel that our legs fail us, to make no reckoning of our props and crutches, as though they should stand us in no stead at all? Let us know then, that whatsoever difference there is betwixt us and the Jews, yet that the doctrine which David setteth down here is common to all: only we have to change the name of the Temple, because we are no longer tied too any one certain place: Notwithstanding the thing which David chiefly regarded, toucheth us no less than himself. It is very true that haughty and proud men make no great matter, that men assemble themselves to hear ⟨image 41⟩Sermons, to make public prayers and too administer the Sacraments: but this is the want that they do not examine their conscience. For our parts seeing it is none other but Gods ordinance, let us content our selves, in that it hath pleased him by such means, too cherish and sustain our faith in such weakness: But yet (as we have before declared) we feel the profit which cometh thereof. Howsoever it be, seeing Saint Paul hath declared that the way to perfection, is to keep the order of the church which Christ hath instituted, when he gave Pastors accursed be the arrogancy of them, that will fly up into the air, & pretend to mount up into heaven by their speculations, in despising both preaching and the use of the Sacraments: as though these were outward things and not so much requisite. Mark well my brethren of what manner of people I speak. I confess that GOD keepeth those that are his under the captivity of Antichrist, albeit that they be destitute of those helps which we enjoy with great liberty. The word of god is not preached unto them, neither have they any place wherein it is lawful for them too make confession of their faith, yea, the Sacraments are taken from them: but forasmuch as in separating themselves from the abominations of Antichrist, they sigh & lament for not having that which were more profitable for them, God worketh in them by the power of his holy spirit, and supplieth that which is wanting unto them, But there are others who for the most part being in such desolation, do yet nevertheless please themselves:
but to declare how his wil is, to gouerne and to leade them. For this is certayne that seeing our weakenes, he hath geuen vnto vs as it were croutches & staues for vs to stay vpō. What folly were it I pray you, whē we feele that our legges faile vs, to make no reckoning of our props and croutches, as though they should stand vs in no steede at all? Let vs know then, that whatsoeuer difference there is betwixt vs and the Iewes, yet that the doctrine which Dauid setteth downe here is common to all: onely we haue to change the name of the Temple, because we are no longer tied too anye one certayne place: Notwithstanding the thing which Dauid chiefly regarded, toucheth vs no lesse thē hīself. It is very true that hawtie and proude men make no great matter, that men assemble themselues to heare