A17725:65
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.
Who is he then that giveth them bread, to be fed therewithal? Who doth make the ground fertile, to bring forth fruit? If GOD do feed and nourish them, in those places where they dwell, as he doth all other men in the other parts of the earth: why do they not honour the giver of the benefit, with that part of themselves, which is so bountifully nourished of him? Why do they rather obey, and serve the devil with their bodies? If these men were in any part Christians, I would use with them more weighty and higher reasons: and I would ask of them, to what end we live in this world, and whereunto our life ought to be referred. But Oh miserable case, that they which with subtleties and shifts, will dally with GOD, are so brutish, that they must be handled, as men not only destitute of Gods spirit, but in a manner void of natural common sense.
Who is he then that giueth them bread, to be fed therewithall? Who dooth make the ground fertile, to bring foorth fruite? If GOD doo féede and nourishe them, in those places where they dwell, as he dooth all other men in the other partes of the earth: why doo they not honour the giuer of the benefite, with that part of themselues, which is so bountifuly nourished of him? Why doo they rather obey, and serue the deuil with theyr bodies? If these men were in any parte Christians, I would vse with them more waighty and higher reasons: and I would aske of them, to what ende we liue in this world, and wherevnto our lyfe ought to be referred. But Oh myserable case, that they which with subtilties and shifts, wyll dally with GOD, are so brutishe, that they must be handled, as men not onely destitute of Gods spirite, but in a maner voide of naturall common sence.
They think this is a sufficient excuse, to say, they do nothing in this kind, but for fear of peril and danger, but if this colour may take place, then must we say, That Joseph should have done none evil, 1if he had committed whoredom ⟨image 34⟩with his Mistress, when it was violently offered him, seeing he should not have followed his own will, but have given place to necessity and violence, which she did unto him. It should have been a foolish fact of him, to enter such peril and infamy, as afterward he suffered, by the false accusation of that naughty woman, seeing he might have escaped those evils, if he had accomplished her will. But we ought rather to follow the example of Joseph, and allow the testimony of the holy Ghost, who doth commend his constancy.