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 therefore when we be told of Saint Paul, and of the great number of encounters that he endured: let us not think it is more than needeth. For it is always a more certain ratifying of the doctrine, too the end we might understand how it is not of the doctrine of any mortal wight, but the doctrine of the living God, who also strengthened him with invincible constancy by his holy spirit. Now as this is well spoken of the persons of Saint Paul: so must it also be extended further. For God wished and ordained, that the rest of the Apostles should suffer as well as he. And it is said of Saint Peter,¹ that when he was grown old, he should be girded after another fashion than he had bin wont too be, so as he should be tied in straight bonds, and be led whither he would not, at leastwise as in respect of fleshly infirmity, though he had a spiritual disposition of mind to obey God. We see then in effect, how Gods servants suffered, not a two or three of them, but so as there might be as it were a great and thick cloud of them, as the Apostle sayeth in the twelfth too the Hebrews. Sith it is so: let us make our hand of such helps. For it is certain, that God meant too sustain our feebleness, by adding such helps too his word (which ought too be of sufficient authority of it self,) too the intent it should no more be doubted of, nor called in question. Thus ye see how the thing that we have too bear in mind, is that the blood of the Apostles and Martyrs that hath bin shed too confirm the doctrine of the Gospel, is as good as a hundred seals, yea as a whole million of seals, too warrant us all the things fully, which are contained in the Gospel. True it is, that our faith ought too be grounded upon the authority of the holy Ghost: and that although God had never a Martyr, too show that the truth of the Gospel is firm and certain: yet it ought too suffice us, that it is he which speaketh it. Again, we have seen heretofore, that the truth shall ever be doubted of, •ill the holy Ghost have sealed it in our hearts. And for that cause is he called our earnest penny,² because he insureth us of the heritage ⟨image 129⟩which we hope for, according too the promise which hath bin purchased so dearly for us with the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.