A17705:1177
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…
The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the Ephesians. Translated out of French into English by Arthur GoldingThe sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the Ephesians. Translated out of French into English by Arthur Golding
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Lucas Harison, 1577
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
If a man be a great writer, and as excellent a teacher as can be devised, and yet notwithstanding will not shed one drop of blood when God calleth him too it? too show that the doctrine which he carried abroad was not his own: it appeareth that he was but a mocker, and that he is worthy too have men spit in his face, and too have more shame and reproach, than if he had bin an ignorant beast. So then, Saint Paul glorieth of his bands, saying, that although the world made no reckoning of him, but disdained him, yet nevertheless God avoweth him for his Ambassador.
If a man be a great wryter, and as excellent a teacher as can be deuyzed, and yit notwithstanding wil not shed one drop of blud when God calleth him too it? too shewe that the doctrine which hee caryed abrode was not his owne: it appeereth that he was but a mocker, and that he is woorthie too haue men spit in his face, and too haue more shame and reproche, than if he had bin an ignorant beast. So then, Saint Paule gloryeth of his bands, saying, that although the world made no reckening of him, but disdeyned him, yit neuerthelesse God auoweth him for his Ambassadour.
And hereupon let us learn not to be so scornful as to despise Gods servants, when we see them held in prison, but let us understand, that God doth then exalt them too much greater dignity and honour, than those that are mounted aloft into pulpits. He then that is in prison, and persisteth in the pure confession of the Gospel, is in much more honourable ⟨p. 344⟩degree, than all they that preach at free liberty. Mark that for one point.
And heerupon let vs learne not to bee so scornful as to despize Gods seruantes, when we see them hild in prizon, but let vs vnderstand, that God dooth then exalt them too much greater dignity and honour, than those that are mounted aloft into pulpites. He then that is in prison, and persīsteth in the pure confession of the Gospel, is in much more honorable ⟨p. 344⟩