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…

Furthermore, as we have here wherewith too strengthen us in true constancy of faith, and too arm us against all the assaults and alarumes that Satan can give us: so it is a great shame for us when we be deaf at the hearing of the Gospel, or let it alone as a thing hanging in the air, taking it too be but as a fable or a thing of no value. And yet for all that, most men now adays do either despise the Gospel, or else are so besotted, that they discant of it, as of a trifle, or else make but a mock of it. Some having heard Sermons, or having bin taught at some Lecture, or by some other means, will perchance say, it is possible that this may be true: and as for me, I will not say nay to it: but forasmuch as I am no clerk nor divine, it is all one too me, I will let it alone still in his ordinary course. Some other will say, Tush, I will hold me too the faith of my forefathers: For it is too dangerous a matter to change. Some again say thus: How so? It is a new doctrine, that we never heard of before. And ⟨image 115⟩othersome being not contented with such scornfulness, add outrageous cruelty, and fight openly against it, in so much that they could find in their hearts too pluck God out of his seat, whereupon they fall to shedding of innocent blood, endeavouring to the uttermost of their power, too wipe away the remembrance of the Gospel. But in the mean while, let us understand, that whensoever the message of our salvation is set forth unto us, if we despise it, we shall be guilty not only rejecting a benefit that was brought us by a mortal creature, but also of shutting the gate against Gods son, when he came too seek us to our salvation. And therefore too quicken up our slothfulness, and too correct the cursed stubbornness that might hinder our full and obedient yielding too the Gospel: let us mark that the preaching thereof is not a thing done by haphazard, neither do men come of their own selves, as sayeth S. Paul also too the Romans:¹ but Gad himself visiteth us, and cometh unto us, and our Lord Jesus Christ performeth still the duty of a shepherd, and calleth us too him with his own voice, because he seeth us too be as sheep that go astray. And although we be peaked aside here and there: yet his mind is too gather us together again to be of his flock.

Furthermore, as wee haue heere wherwith too strengthen vs in trew constancie of fayth, and too arme vs ageinst all the assaultes and alarumes that Satan can giue vs: so it is a great shame for vs when wee bee deafe at the hearing of the Gospell, or let it alone as a thing hanging in the aire, taking it too bee but as a fable or a thing of no valew. And yit for all that, most men now adayes doo eyther despyze the Gospell, or else are so besotted, that they discant of it, as of a tryfle, or else make but a mocke of it. Some hauing heard Sermons, or hauing bin taught at some Lecture, or by some other meanes, will perchaunce say, it is possible that this may bee trew: and as for mee, I wil not say nay to it: but forasmuch as I am no clerk nor diuine, it is al one too mee, I will let it alone still in his ordinarie course. Some other will say, Tush, I will hold mee too the fayth of my forefathers: For it is too daungerous a matter to chaunge. Some agein say thus: How so? It is a new doctrine, that wee neuer heard of before. And