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 hereupon Paul addeth, that he hath sent Tychicus too Ephesus, too the intent that the Ephesians might know in what state he was. This also is said too the common edifying of the Church. For whereas Saint Paul speaketh of his state and doings, he meaneth not the things that concern his body or his health, nor any thing else that belongeth too this present life: but he referreth it specially too the confession of the faith, and his free maintaining of the Gospel. We know that if a man be in prison, specially a man of renown: folk will be in some care of him, (saying) Alas, will God give him constancy? And again▪ the devil sleepeth not at that time. There shall never any man of credit which hath edified Gods Church, be cast in prison, or impeached: but there shall some ⟨image 363⟩thing or other be sowed abroad, too disgrace him, and too bring him as it were into a slander, and all is too deface the things that God hath done by his mean, and too overthrow that which he hath builded. That is one of Satan's policies. And therefore Saint Paul knowing that men might sow abroad many lies, and say, ho, see ye, I warrant ye he should not be so long borne with at Rome, specially having the Emperor and all the Court against him: except he did yield: it may well be said, that his case is not clear. And others, Tush, men make no account of him, they see he is but a doting fool. And others: some one thing, and some another, every man after his own fancy: Saint Paul (I say) perceiving that many poor we akelings might be hindered by him, and cast into perplexity, and that othersome might be kept back from coming too the Gospel: will have his state known, and the devil with all his slanders put too the foil, and the mouths of all backbiters stopped, and likewise of all Colcaryers which seek nothing but too set trouble in the Church. Also for fear least they that had begun too profit in the Gospel, might be hindered, and the same an occasion too shut the gate against such as were not yet come in: Saint Paul intending too prevent all those respects, sayeth, that he hath sent Tychicus.

Now heereuppon Paule addeth, that he hath sent Tychicus too Ephesus, too the intent that the Ephesians myght knowe in what state he was. This also is sayd too the common edifying of the Church. For whereas Saint Paule speaketh of his state and dooings, he meaneth not the things that concerne his bodie or his health, nor any thing else that belongeth too this present lyfe: but he referreth it specially too the confession of the fayth, and his free maynteyning of the Gospell. Wee know that if a man bee in prison, specially a man of renowme: folke will bee in some care of him, (saying) Alas, will God giue him constancie? And agein the diuell sleepeth not at that tyme. There shall neuer any man of credit which hath edifyed Gods Church, bee cast in prison, or impeached: but there shall some