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…

True it is that in the Epistle too the Thessalonians,¹ he noteth also the reason why he desired too be delivered from the wicked and faithless, which ceased not too lay snares for him. And why? It was lawful for him too set store by his life: but yet for all that, he did not set the Cart before the horse (as they say:) for we see by this text,² and also by that which is written too the Colossians, that he had always more regard too discharge his duty towards God, specially in respect of the Church, by preaching the Gospel faithfully: than too ease himself, or too eschew the danger wherein he saw he was. Then first of all if our Lord call us too any charge whatsoever it be, let us learn too understand our own infirmity, that we may be succoured of him as we need, and not presume any whit upon our own strength or cunning, but consider that God must be fain too hold us up by strong hand, and that we have need too resort unto him, yea and too desire (after the example of Saint Paul) to be commended to the prayers of all the members of our Lord Jesus Christ, as in deed it is good reason that we should pray mutually also for them. That is for the first point.

Trew it is that in the Epistle too the Thessalonians,¹ he noteth also the reason why he desyred too bee deliuered from the wicked and faythlesse, which ceassed not too lay snares for him. And why? It was lawfull for him too set store by his lyfe: but yit for all that, he did not set the Cart before the horse (as they say:) for wee see by this text,² and also by that which is written too the Colossians, that he had alwayes more regard too discharge his dewtie toowardes God, specially in respect of the Church, by preaching the Gospell faythfully: than too ease himselfe, or too eschew the daunger wherein he sawe he was. Then first of all if our Lord call vs too any charge whatsoeuer it bee, let vs learne too vnderstand our owne infirmitie, that wee may bee succored of him as wee neede, and not presume any whit vppon our owne strength or cunning, but consider that God must bee fayne too hold vs vp by strong hand, and that wee haue neede too resort vntoo him, yea and too desyre (after the example of Saint Paule) to bee cōmended to the prayers of al the members of our Lord Iesus Christ, as in deede it is good reason that wee should pray mutually also for them. That is for the first poynt.