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…

Although every of us confess that the doctrine of the Gospel brings always trouble and persecution, because the world hateth it, and yet for all that, that we ought not too be dismayed nor shrink away: yet notwithstanding it is so hard too put the thing in ure which we confess, that there is almost none of us all which is not vexed, and in manner shaken down, when Gods enemies offer any unquietness, or when we see the silly faithful sor• cruelly used at their hands. Nevertheless it ought too serve for a strengthening of our faith, when we see men which are frail of their own nature, not afraid too hazard their lives in bearing record of Gods truth. Seeing then that the power of Gods spirit appeareth most manifestly, if we were not to […] blinded with unthankfulness, it ought too assure us so much the more. But forasmuch as we advantage our selves very evil by it: we have need too be encouraged, as S. Paul also doth in this text. When we see the devil stir up his underlings too execute all tyranny against Gods children: let ⟨image 128⟩it not shake our faith. And specially if the faithful endure patiently all that can be, for the maintenance of Gods truth which they know, and that they do also hold out too the end. Without swerving: that (as I said) ought not too be lost. And for the same cause doth S. Paul in other places say,¹ he suffereth for the welfare of the Church. Not that he could purchase them forgiveness of sins, or any grace by his death:² but because the Gospel is Gods mighty power too the welfare of all that believe, and the further that we go forward in it, the nearer it maketh us too come unto God, and unto everlasting life. S. Paul then suffered for the example of those whom he had taught afore with his own mouth. For (thereby) they knew that his speaking too them had bin in good earnest, seeing he spared not his own blood and his life, too seal and confirm the doctrine that he had brought them. As much is done in this text.

ALthough euery of vs confesse that the doctrine of the Gospell brings alwayes trubble and persecution, bycause the world hateth it, and yit for all that, that wee ought not too bee dismayed nor shrinke away: yit notwithstanding it is so hard too put the thing in vre which wee confesse, that there is almost none of vs all which is not vexed, and in maner shaken downe, when Gods enemyes offer any vnquyetnesse, or when wee see the silly faythfull sor cruelly vsed at their handes. Neuerthelesse it ought too serue for a strengthening of our fayth, when wee see men which are frayle of their owne nature, not afrayd too hazard their lyues in bearing record of Gods truthe. Seeing then that the power of Gods spirit appeareth most manifestly, if we were not to blynded with vnthankfulnesse, it ought too assure vs so much the more. But forasmuch as wee aduauntage our selues very euill by it: we haue neede too bee incoraged, as S. Paule also dooth in this text. When wee see the diuell stirre vp his vnderlinges too execute all tyranny ageinst Gods children: let