A17725:13
Two godly and learned sermons, made by that famous and worthy instrument in Gods…Two godly and learned sermons, made by that famous and woorthy instrument in Gods…
Two godly and learned sermons, made by that famous and worthy instrument in Gods church, M. John Calvin. Which sermons were long since translated out of Latin into English, by M. Robert Horne late Bishop of Winchester, at what time he suffered exile from his country, for the testimony of a good conscience, as his apology in the beginning of the book will witness. And because these sermons have long lien hidden in silence, and many godly and religious persons, have been very desirous of them: at their earnest request they are now published by A.M.Two godly and learned sermons, made by that famous and woorthy instrument in Gods church, M. Iohn Caluin. Which sermons were long since translated out of Latine into English, by M. Robert Horne late Byshop of Winchester, at what time he suffered exile from his country, for the testimony of a good conscience, as his apology in the beginning of the booke will witnes. And because these sermons haue long lyen hidden in silence, and many godly and religious persons, haue beene very desirous of them: at theyr earnest request they are nowe published by A.M.
London: printed by John Charlewood for Henry Car, 1584
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
that if the devil himself, and all mine enemies, should do their worst, they could not have accused me justly, neither of word nor deed, perpetrated against her grace. And as concerning the doctrine which I had taught, the more diligently I did examine it by the holy Scriptures, and the testimony of the ancient Fathers, the more sincere and pure it appeared: I was the more earnestly persuaded, and settled in the trueth thereof, my conscience did more plainly lay to my charge, that I could not revoke, say against, nor dissemble it, without blasphemous contempt of God,1 and most horrible denial of his Son Jesus Christ. So that I found no fault in my self, as touching my preaching: but that as an unprofitable Servant, I did not so much as I ought to have ⟨image 6⟩done, although I had done much more, then some thought I should have thanks for. But what soever men thought or spake, as touching thankful reward for my labour, I persuaded my self, that I should have all things weighed after equity: and therefore considering both mine own integrity, that I had offended no law of the Realm, but lived like an obedient subject, and also that the same men bare the chief rule under the Queens highness, and should be my Judges, as did know that the sword was delivered them, for the defence of the good & obedient subject: so soon as I heard tell, that I was exempted the Queens highness pardon, I took my journey towards London, with so much convenient speed as I might. Where I found all things far otherwise then I would have believed, if I had not been put in experience thereof my self. For I found in the place of equity, prejudice: for law, lust: for reason, will: and such as should have given sentence, according as matter had been objected and justly proved, plaid both the part of the accuser, of the witnesses, & also of the Judge: and gave this sentence immediately, that ⟨image 6⟩I should either undo that I had done, or else: what that or else meant, I knew well enough, for I had the exposition thereof by his own holy ghost. Then my good L. Chancellor (who was always sure at a need, perceiving that I stood to this, that I had offended no law, to help at a pinch) objected, yea, three or four times for failing, a matter no less malicious then false.
that if the deuil himselfe, and all mine enimies, should doo theyr worst, they could not haue accused me iustlie, neither of word nor déede, perpetrated against her grace. And as cōcerning the doctrine which I had taught, the more dilligentlie I did examine it by the holie Scriptures, and the testimony of the auncient Fathers, the more sincere and pure it appeared: I was the more earnestly perswaded, and setled in the trueth thereof, my conscience dyd more plainelie laye to my charge, that I could not reuoke, saye against, nor dissemble it, without blasphemous contempt of God,