A17725:182
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.
But if when the plague hangeth over our heads, three or four of them are not sufficient, to confirm and strengthen us, truly, an hundred should be sufficient, to overcome all adverse and contrary temptations. But if GOD with these great sweet promises, can not entice and draw us to him, are we not very great dullards, and beetle heads, when neither the severe threatenings, can work any more in us? Jesus Christ doth appoint a day, to accuse all them before his Father, Which deny the trueth, for fear of loosing this life: 1for whom he declareth destruction, both of ⟨image 65⟩body and soul to be prepared. Also in an other place he protesteth, that he will refuse all manner of communion of them, That deny him before men. These words,2 unless we be utterly void of all sense,3 ought vehemently to move our minds, and so to fray us that for fear the hairs of our head should start up. But how soever it be, unless we be so affected and moved, as the greatness of the matter and danger requireth, there remaineth nothing else for us, but to look for horrible and most miserable confusion: wherein we may excuse our fault, so much as we lust, and we may say, that in this great frailty and weakness of nature, we rather are worthy of mercy, then of any severity & sharpness of punishment, it will not serve. For it is written on the contrary part,4 That Moses after he had seen God by faith: was so hardened and strengthened, that no violence of temptation could melt his mind, and bend him from that great constancy. Wherefore, when we be so tender and flexible, that there appear in us no power of firm and constant mind, we signify and declare plainly, that we be utterly ignorant ⟨image 65⟩of God and his kingdom. Also, when we are warned, that we ought to be joined and coupled with our head, we have gotten a goodly colour, to exempt and separate our selves from him, if we say we are men. And were not they that were before us, men so well as we are? Yea, if we had nothing else, but even the bare doctrine of godliness, yet were all the excuses that we can bring, weak, and of no value. But now are we worthy more greater check and condemnation, since we have so great and notable examples, whose great authority, ought vehemently to excite and confirm our minds. There are two chief parts,