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…

Now were this well printed in our hearts (as I said afore) we should be well waked too pray too our God without end or ceasing. For let us consider the state and plight of the Church in these days. Although our Lord give us some rest: yet are our poor brethren tormented by tyrants, and by the enemies of the faith. Some are fain too flee, some have their goods taken from them, many be thrust into prison, and other some are burnt at the stake. All these poor souls are in unquietness, and put too some new terror every minute of an hour. We see that there is as terrible menacing and threatening as may be. We see how the devil driveth all those forward with outrageous fury, which would abolish the doctrine of the Gospel. We see what scatterings are made by the stumbling blocks that Satan thrusteth in by his champions. We see how a great sort seek nothing else but too put the Gospel too all shame. And in the mean while, the poor servants of God which employ themselves in his service, are troubled and vexed by all means. Then if we gather together all the miseries and adversities whereto the Church is subject, and consider well the distress of every of our brethren: must it not needs be that we are duller than brute beasts, if we be not moved too pray unto God, yea even with a right perseverance in the same? For though I be at mine ease too day, there are many thousands in great perplexity: and I show well that I cut of my self (as much as I can) from the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, if I pity not the members too whom I am linked. Not without cause therefore doth Saint Paul set all the Saints here afore us, when be intendeth too inflame us the better too a right ⟨p. 338⟩disposed mind in praying, and too continue throughout in the same.

Now were this well printed in our hartes (as I sayd afore) wee should bee well waked too pray too our God without end or ceassing. For let vs consider the state and plyght of the Church in these dayes. Although our Lord giue vs some rest: yit are our poore brethren tormented by tyrantes, and by the enemyes of the fayth. Some are fayne too flee, some haue their goods taken from them, many bee thrust intoo prizon, and other some are burnt at the stake. All these poore soules are in vnquietnesse, and put too some new terrour euery minute of an houre. Wee see that there is as tirrible manacing and threatening as may bee. Wee see how the diuell dryueth all those foreward with outrageous fury, which would abolish the doctrine of the Gospell. Wee see what scatterings are made by the stumbling blockes that Satan thrusteth in by his champions. Wee see how a great sort seeke nothing else but too put the Gospell too all shame. And in the meane whyle, the poore seruantes of God which imploy themselues in his seruice, are trubbled and vexed by all meanes. Then if we gather toogither all the miseries and aduersities wheretoo the Church is subiect, and consider well the distresse of euery of our brethren: must it not needes bee that wee are duller than brut beasts, if wee bee not moued too pray vntoo God, yea euen with a ryght perseuerance in the same? For though I bee at myne ease too day, there are many thousands in great perplexitie: and I shewe wel that I cut of my selfe (as much as I can) from the bodye of our Lorde Iesus Christ, if I pitye not the members too whom I am linked. Not without cause therefore dooth Saint Paule set all the Saintes heere afore vs, when be intendeth too inflame vs the better too a ryght