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…

Thus ye see what we have to gather upon this strain. And although the enemies of the Gospel make a triumphing, ⟨p. 112⟩and spit fire, and keep a great coil too deface all that belongs too God: yet let not us cease too glorify God always, seeing that all the battles which are prepared by Satan's policy against the faithful, are turned of God into Crowns and Garlands, & he maketh them to overcome all things that seem to make to their undoing and destruction. The thing then which we have yet further too mark, is this in effect, that we must not be thrust out of the way when we see the wicked sort, and the despisers of God, and all worldlings scorn our simplicity, at such time as our brethren suffer persecution: but must consider that the prisons where they be kept, & the reproachful fires are of much more worthiness and excellency, than all the seats where those Judges sit, that are as Satan's underlings or upholders, and as rank murderers: yea & more excellent than all seats of Kings and Princes, though they make never so much ado of their greatness.

Thus yee see what wee haue to gather vppo• this streyne. And although the enemies of the Gospell make a triumphing, ⟨p. 112⟩and spit fire, and keepe a great coyle too deface all that belongs too God: yit let not vs ceasse too gloryfie God alwayes, seeing that all the battels which are prepared by Satans pollicie ageinst the faythful, are turned of God into Crownes and Garlands, & he maketh them to ouercome all things that seeme to make to their vndoing and destruction. The thing then whiche wee haue yet further too mark, is this in effect, that we must not bee thrust out of the way when we see the wycked sorte, and the despyzers of God, and al worldlynges scorne our simplicitie, at suche tyme as our brethren suffer persecution: but must consyder that the pryzons where they be kept, & the reprochefull fires are of much more worthinesse and excellencie, than all the seates where those Iudges sit, that are as Satans vnderlings or vpholders, and as ranke murtherers: yea & more excellent than al seats of Kings and Princes, though they make neuer so much adoo of their greatnesse.