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…

Yet must we not swerve aside, nor be out of hart, considering that it ought to confirm our faith the more in our Lord Jesus Christ, and that we have whereof to glory, seeing God holdeth up his Church by strong hand, so as it is not utterly oppressed and overcome. If the Gospel were received without gainsaying, and with one common accord, surely we should have cause to bliss God for it, and there should be a melody between heaven and earth, so as both men and Angels might with full mouth magnify Gods goodness so shinning forth upon all men: But yet the fighting of men against the Gospel, is a sure record unto us, that God is the author of it, inasmuch as they that are imprisoned for it, and drawn even unto death, cease not for all that too stand steadfastly in it.¹ God then uttereth there a wonderful power, and it appeareth, that for all that ever Satan can do, we nevertheless have proof that God is on our side, and fighteth for us, and upholdeth us by his power. Not that he exempteth us from affliction, but he will always give us victory, and that ought to suffice us. Thus the thing which we have too remember upon this Text of S. Pauls, is, that we must be ready too receive all the alarums that Satan shall make upon us, and that although we see the doctrine of the Gospel ill received of the world, so as it is not only despised and disdained, but also hated, and the unbelievers are inflamed with a devilish rage too destroy it: Yet notwithstanding we must not bear it the less reverence, for we must not measure Gods majesty ⟨image 150⟩by the opinions of men. Put the case that God were every where despised, according as most men are in deed so churlish and unthankful, that they be as monsters shaped against kind, yet must not God lose the right that we owe him. For notwithstanding the rebelliousness of such as would wrap God with them in their iniquities, we ought too honour him with all humility. Even so is it also with the pure doctrine of the Gospel. Although then that the world set themselves against it, & many men trample it underfoot, so as some mock at it, some gnash their teeth at it, and fires are kindled for it: Yet let us still quietly and obediently receive the things which we know to come from our God.

Yit must we not swarue aside, nor be out of hart, considering that it ought to confirme our fayth the more in our Lord Iesus Christ, and that wee haue wherof to glory, seeing God holdeth vp his Church by strong hand, so as it is not vtterly oppressed and ouercome. If the Gospell were receyued without geinsaying, and with one common accord, surely we should haue cause to blisse God for it, and there should bee a melodie betweene heauen and earth, so as both men and Angels might with full mouth magnifie Gods goodnesse so shining foorth vppon all men: But yit the fighting of men ageinst the Gospell, is a sure recorde vntoo vs, that God is the author of it, inasmuch as they that are imprisoned for it, and drawen euen vntoo death, ceasse not for all that too stand stedfastly in it.