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,…

So then as often as Princes will attempt any thing, in prejudice of him who hath all sovereign authority above them, men do them no wrong in obeying him. Albeit, besides that which I have said, such kind of men show sufficiently, that they never greatly weighed nor considered their own state and condition. And what a miserable captivity is it, in which they are holden? Onlesse their conscience were too too sluggish, it were impossible but that they should be in continual anguish and distress, as though they were tormented in Hell. And how is it permitted unto them, too honour GOD in their houses? We need not go far for an example, If any of them have a child borne unto him, his duty is too offer him up too GOD with prayers and giving of thanks, requiring the Seal of salvation through Baptism to be imprinted into his body.

So then as often as Princes wil attempt any thing, in preiudice of him who hath all soueraigne authoritie aboue them, men do them no wrong in obeiyng him. Albeit, besides that which I haue saide, suche kinde of men shewe sufficiently, that they neuer greatly wayed nor considered theyr owne state and condition. And what a miserable captiuitie is it, in whiche they are holden? Onlesse their cōscience were too too sluggishe, it were impossible but that they shoulde be in continual anguishe and distresse, as though they were tormented in Hell. And howe is it permitted vnto them, too honour GOD in their houses? We neede not go farre for an example, If any of them haue a childe borne vntoo him, his duetie is too offer him vp too GOD with prayers and geuing of thankes, requiring the Seale of saluation through Baptisme to be imprinted into his body.

Now we know that Baptism is so corrupted in the Popedom, and so defiled with superstitions and filthinesses, that a child cannot receive it, but he must out of hand be defiled with it. So a father cannot baptise his child without sinning. And if he abstain, yet he is in the same transgression, if there were no more but the offence which he giveth too ⟨p. 42⟩men, in refusing the Sacrament, that the son of God hath instituted. And what a perplexity is this, that a man can neither do not leave undone such a thing, but he must grievously offend GOD? I omit the rest, because that this one example alone is more then enough. But when a man shall so miserably languish all the days of his life, not knowing which way too turn him, yet in death great assaults shall assail him and then will the Devil have his whole army in a readiness against him. If the miserable Captive were in time too fore let from serving of GOD, in respect of his wife and family, then he shall be in worse case then ever before.