The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the…The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the…

Therefore when we be assailed with such temptation, let us call this lesson too remembrance, which is, that though we be now afflicted in this world, and men laugh us too scorn, and spit in our faces, and too be short, though we endure all the reproach that can be: yet we fail not for all that, too be in the safe keeping of our God, because he esteemeth us & setteth store by us, and will in the end show that he doth so, insomuch that although we linger and pine away, and he withhold himself as it were hidden from us, and a man might deem (according too natural understanding) that we be (as ye would say) razed out of his remembrance: yet nevertheless, after he hath held us under for a while, and tried our humility & obedience: we shall find, that our walking faithfully and uncorruptly in his fear, shall be admitted in our account in the end, and that we have not laboured for moonshine of the water, as they say. That is the thing in effect which we must bear in mind, when the great personages of the world exalt themselves in their pride, and are able to trample us under their feet.

Therfore when we be assayled with such temptation, let vs call this lesson too rememberance, which is, that though wee bee now afflicted in this world, and men laugh vs too scorne, and spit in our faces, and too bee short, though wee indure all the reproche that can bee: yit wee fayle not for all that, too bee in the safe keeping of our God, bycause he esteemeth vs & setteth store by vs, and will in the end shewe that he dooth so, insomuch that although wee linger and pyne away, and he withhold himselfe as it were hidden from vs, and a man myght deeme (according too naturall vnderstanding) that wee bee (as yee would say) razed out of his rememberance: yit neuerthelesse, after he hath hild vs vnder for a whyle, and tryed our humilitie & obedience: wee shall fynd, that our walking faythfully and vncorruptly in his feare, shal bee admitted in our account in the end, and that we haue not labored for mooneshyne of the water, as they say. That is the thing in effect which we must beare in mynd, when the great personages of the world exalt themselues in their pryde, and are able to trample vs vnder their feete.

Howbeit, let all such as have superiority over others, aduyze themselves well, and consider that God hath not given them the bridle without reserving his own right too himself, but that both great and small must be fain too appear before his judgment seat, and there there will be no accepting of persons. Wherefore let such as are rich, let such as are in authority, let such as have any advantage above their neighbours, remember well this saying, that there is no accepting of persons before God: but that although that in this world one man goes before, & another follows after: yet when the Trumpet soundeth, so as we must all come before the great Judge: then there shall be no more any such difference. And for the same cause are even Kings and Princes brought too that point, and too that consideration in the Psalm,