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,…

For David showed that he had not a cold or dead meditation without stirring either arms or legs: ⟨p. 41⟩but having concluded that he must seek God, he setteth himself in the path, and protesteth that he will pursue it. Now it is a great shame too them who call themselves Christians, so ill too put in practice both the one and the other. Some will allege that it is not lawful for them too forsake the Country where they were borne, albeit they be destitute there of the food of life, and that they have nothing but desolation, concerning the order of the Church: Why so? Because of the duty they bear to their natural prince. To which I will make no long reply, only I ask of them, if they had nothing to eat and too drink in their own house, whether they would be so scrupulous to tarry there still. There is none that would not boldly adventure too forsake his Country, that he might not starve for hunger. I put a case which is not yet so privileged: that is, if a man should give them six times as much substance as they have, in a strange country, whether they would make any great courtesy, too go quickly & take possession? To what purpose serveth it them to pretend these colours, seeing that may appear to be far from their heart which they speak? There is no question here of going into their enemies land, where they shall be constrained to bear arms against their prince, to make war with their natural Country: but only of seeking a place peaceably to serve God, where nothing shall let but they may pray for their Prince and for all his subjects. Too be short such a journey is none other, but such as they make daily for some earthly commodities, which is devoid of all crime and offence. But yet let us see whether necessity do not sufficiently excuse them that go, Lo God ⟨image 48⟩who saith, Seek my face: The princes of the would, butte against him, and turn their backs towards him: or rather they rob the poor souls of their common food: and in stead of Gods face, they set before their eyes the masks of superstitions. Must they be preferred before the living God? If GOD be to be heard, we must go rather a thousand miles of to see his face, where it is showed, than to lie nestling in our nests.

For Dauid shewed that hee had not a colde or dead meditation without stirring either armes or legges: ⟨p. 41⟩