Two and twenty sermons of Master John Calvin In which sermons is most religiously…Two and twentie sermons of Maister Iohn Caluin In which sermons is most religiously…

This saying here importeth more then at the first sight it seemeth to do: It is very true, that it should seem a far harder matter for the mighty men of this world to serve God then the meaner sort: in so much as we will never account it strange if a man of base condition hath not forgotten the word of God. But what is the cause why we so greatly prattle, jangle, and lift up our selves so arrogantly against him, and that we submit not our selves wholly unto him? Forsooth even the very honours and delights of this world are oftentimes the chiefest causes. When a man shall be in any credit, estimation, and reputation he imagineth unto him self an idol in his own heart: and hereupon forgetteth God, and thinketh him self to be no longer under his government. When then our Lord God holdeth us in a low estate, he putteth us in mind, and forceth us by this means not to forget his commandments, and to walk in his fear with all humility. But David his meaning tendeth to another end, that is, although he was as it were contemned, yet ceased he not to love God. Now as I have said, this is not here set down without cause. It is very true, that when God liberally bestoweth upon us great store of benefits, then are we so blockish, as that we think our selves least beholden unto him. And contrariwise, they upon whom he hath not bestowed such graces, think them selves for their parts, not so greatly bounden unto him. And in very deed, the world will always find starting holes, to keep it self out from the service and fear of God, or else will be so lightly discharged thereof, as that it may be done without any great pain. As how I pray you? We see, that they which pretend colour of ignorance, which have neither knowledge either of God or of true religion, will say, surely for my part I am but a poor simple man, and without learning, and therefore I will leave this gear to those that are learned. One sort will excuse them ⟨image 159⟩selves one way, another, another way: but yet they all tend to this end, to exempt them selves from the obedience of God, & not to be subject either to him or yet to his word. See here the common saying amongst the Papists. Ha sirra: This is the office of the priests & the cloisterers: our prelates have the charge over us: we are secular and lay men, we must have nothing to do with this gear.

This saying here importeth more then at the first sight it seemeth to doe: It is very true, that it should seeme a farre harder matter for the mightie men of this worlde to serue God then the meaner sort: in so much as wee will neuer accompt it straunge if a man of base condition hath not forgotten the word of God. But what is the cause why wee so greatly prattle, iangle, and lift vp our selues so arrogantly against him, and that we submitte not our selues wholy vnto him? Forsooth euen the very honours and delightes of this worlde are oftentimes the chiefest causes. When a man shalbe in any credit, estimation, and reputation hee imagineth vnto him selfe an idoll in his owne heart: and herevpō forgetteth God, and thinketh him selfe to bee no longer vnder his gouernement. When then our Lorde God holdeth vs in a lowe estate, hee putteth vs in minde, and forceth vs by this meanes not to forget his commandements, and to walke in his feare with all humilitie. But Dauid his meaning tendeth to another ende, that is, although he was as it were contemned, yet ceased he not to loue God. Nowe as I haue said, this is not here set downe without cause. It is very true, that when God liberally bestoweth vpon vs great store of benefites, then are we so blockish, as that we thinke our selues least beholden vnto him. And contrariwise, they vpon whome hee hath not bestowed such graces, thinke them selues for their partes, not so greatly bounden vnto him. And in very deede, the worlde will alwayes finde starting holes, to keepe it selfe out from the seruice and feare of God, or els will be so lightly discharged thereof, as that it may be done without any great paine. As howe I praye you? We see, that they which pretend colour of ignorance, which haue neither knowledge either of God or of true religion, will say, surely for my part I am but a poore simple man, and without learning, and therefore I will leaue this geare to those that are learned. One sort will excuse them