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 for the last step, we must come too the experience that we have in these days. For the blood of Martyrs is shed still at this day, & God could well let that the wicked should not run so upon the bridle against the faithful: he could well change all their mischievousness and rebellion: and whereas they be ravening wolves, he could make them as sheep and Lambs: surely he could do so. But on the one side he ordaineth Satan too drive them and stir them up too such rage, and again he giveth them licence and leave too trouble the faithful. And why? Too the end that we should know what the power of his holy spirit is, when it pleaseth him too guide and govern us. For (as I have declared already) the weakness of men is such, that there needeth but the falling of a leaf from a tree too make them quake, & again we know that death is horrible of it self. Therefore we must conclude, that God uttereth a wonderful grace, when he strengtheneth his servants in such wise, as they be not dismayed with any threatenings, nor at the sight of fire, when the enemies and tyrants are not contented with single death, but add thereto the most tyrannical torments that can be devised. Now then when the Martyrs persevere in such constancy, therein men perceive that God hath put to his hand. Wherefore when we hear that they be handled so cruelly for Gods word, and that some, if they scape, are notwithstanding ready too dye, and othersome knowing their death shall be precious in the eyes of the Lord, offer them selves in sacrifice with a cheerful courage: let us not suffer their blood too fall too the ground. (I say,) when we hear of all these things, let us beware we suffer not that thing too perish, which God hath ordained for our edifying, and for the better confirming of us in our faith. For although we ought too be (sufficiently) instructed by the preaching (alone) yet must it needs be a great strengthening too us, when Gods word is not only preached, but also sealed after that fashion. Then is it not too be called in question, or too be disputed of, as an uncertain matter: but they to whom God hath granted the grace, and are led so far by his holy spirit, as too suffer for his truth: are faithful witnesses that their blood serveth too give a full sealing up too his word, too the intent that we should be the better resolved of it.

Now for the last step, wee must come too the experience that wee haue in these dayes. For the blud of Martirs is shed still at this day, & God could well let that the wicked should not runne so vpon the brydle ageinst the faythfull: he could well chaunge all their mischeeuousnesse and rebellion: and wheras they bee rauening wolues, he could make them as sheepe and Lambes: surely he could doo so. But on the one syde he ordeyneth Satan too driue them and stirre them vp too such rage, and agein he giueth them licence and leaue too trubble the faythfull. And why? Too the end that wee should knowe what the power of his holy spirit is, when it pleaseth him too guyde and gouerne vs. For (as I haue declared alredy) the weaknesse of men is such, that there needeth but the falling of a leafe from a tree too make them quake, & ageyne wee knowe that death is horrible of it self. Therfore wee must conclude, that God vttereth a wonderfull grace, when he strengtheneth his seruantes in such wyse, as they bee not dismayed with any threateninges, nor at the syght of fyre, when the enemyes and tirantes are not contented with single death, but adde thertoo the most tyrannicall tormentes that can bee deuyzed. Now then when the Martyres perseuer in such constancie, therin men perceyue that God hath put to his hand. Wherfore when wee heare that they bee handled so cruelly for Gods word, and that some, if they scape, are notwithstanding redye too dye, and othersome knowing their death shall bee precious in the eyes of the Lord, offer them selues in sacrifize with a cheerful corage: let vs not suffer their blud too fall too the ground. (I say,) when wee heare of all these things, let vs beware wee suffer not that thing too perish, which God hath ordeyned for our edifying, and for the better confirming of vs in our fayth. For although wee ought too bee (sufficiently) instructed by the preaching (alone) yit must it needes be a great strengthening too vs, when Gods word is not onely preached, but also sealed after that fashion. Then is it not too bee called in question, or too be disputed of, as an vncertayne matter: but they to whom God hath graunted the grace, and are led so farre by his holy spirit, as too suffer for his truth: are faythfull wittnesses that their blud serueth too giue a full sealing vp too his word, too the intent that wee should bee the better resolued of it.