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…

For he saith, he was an Ambassador for the Gentiles, yea even though he were the prisoner of Jesus Christ. Surely these two things seem too be as contrary as fire and water. For could not Jesus Christ honour them better whom he sendeth in his name, and which represent him, than too put them too all the shame and reproach of the world?¹ But S. Paul as well here as in other places, hath not sticked too glory in his imprisonment and bands. In deed he was kept in ward as an evil doer: b•t in the mean while he had record both before God and also before man, that he suffered wrongfully, for executing his office, and finally for serving God faithfully. Therefore let us not think it strange, that on the one side he calleth himself prisoner, and on the other side the Ambassador or messenger of the Living God, even as representing his person and dignity. And it is not for nought that he addeth the name of Jesus Christ. For imprisonment generally might have bred some evil opinion of him, because evil doers are punished with it by order of Justis. But the case putteth a difference between evil doers, and the witnesses of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is the rause why S. Paul calleth not himself a prisoner simply and without exception, but also showeth the cause why: saying, that Jesus Christ avoweth him, as th•ugh he were an hostage (or pledge) for him. So then, by this saying we be warned too re•eyue S. Pauls doctrine with the greater authority, seeing he hath rati••ed it so well. If he had but only executed his […] •n in preaching, we ought too have made account of the obedience ⟨p. 111⟩that he yielded unto God. But he also wrought miracles, he in•ured a number of troubles and encumbrances, and finally he suffered imprisonment and death. Now when we see that for all this he ceased not too go through steadfastly, and too overcome all the assaults that Satan and the wicked world were able too stir up against him: surely we have the greater confirmation of the doctrine, which serveth at this day too our use.