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…

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⟩degree, than al they that preach at free liberty. Marke that for one poynt.

And again, in the time that God spareth us and giveth us leisure, let us learn too fence our selves so afore hand with courage and constancy, as we may be his Ambassadors whensoever it shall please him, both in prison, and in the midst of the threatenings of enemies, and in all the rages of death that can be put against us. That is the thing which we have too mark upon this strain. And so let us not be dismayed as a number of unconstant persons are, who when they hear that a great sort are imprisoned in such a place, and such a one was burnt in another place, are by and by out of hart, and the Gospel is no more accounted with them. They that forge too themselves such stumbling blocks, show well that they never had any lively root in faith. But contrariwise, when we see that our Lord Jesus Christ doth so serve himself by those whom he calleth too trial, by putting them into the hands of Tyrants, and of the enemies of his truth, and yet giveth them invincible constancy: it is a goodly strengthening of our faith, and we have cause too be the more inflamed. For unless God wrought in them, it is certain that there should no such strength be seen in any man living. Therefore we must pray God too arm us at our need, and therewithal to show us that the doctrine of his Gospel which is of sufficient authority of it self, must be further authorized by a manner of provision. But yet must the blood of the Martyrs, and of such as God hath sanctified to his glory, serve too that purpose, because they be as it were his Proctors before men.