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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A17693	A sermon of the famous and Godly learned man, master Iohn Caluine chiefe Minister and Pastour of Christs church at Geneua, conteining an exhortation to suffer persecution for followinge Iesus Christe and his Gospell, vpon this text following. Heb. 13. 13. Go ye out of the tents after Christe, bearing his rebuke. Translated out of French into english,; Quatre sermons avec exposition du Pseaume 87. English. Sermon 2. Selections	Calvin, Jean, 1509-1564.; Fielde, John, d. 1588.; I. P., fl. 1581.	1581 (1581)	STC 4439.5; ESTC S116257	19,849	45

A Sermon of the famous and Godly learned man master Iohn Caluine chiefe Minister and Pastour of Christs church at Geneua conteining an exhortation to suffer persecution for followinge Iesus Christe and his Gospell vppon this Text following Heb. 13.13 Go ye out of the Tents after Christe bearing his rebuke Translated out of French into english Imprinted at London by Robert VValdegraue for Edward VVhite 1581. A SERMON of the Famous and godly learned man Master Iohn Caluine Chiefe minister and Pastour of Christes Church at Geneua conteining an exhortation to suffer persecution Heb. 13.13 Go ye out of the Tents after Christ bearing his rebuke ALl exhortations that a man maye make to vs of suffering patiently for the name of Iesus Christe A constant man in religion is knowne by the certenty of the word whereupon he standeth and for the quarrell of the Gospell they shall haue no place if we bee not very well assured of the cause for the which wee doe contend for when the question is of yeelding the life it is requisit that we be resolued and certaine wherefore it is And such constancie cannot bee in vs vnlesse it bee grounded on the certeinty of fayth True it is that a man shall finde out some that will submit themselues foolishly to death Stubbornes in opinion besides the word is frensie For to mainteine certeine fond opinions fantasies which they shall conceiue in their head but such an earnestnesse deserueth rather to bee counted for frensie then for a Christian zeale like as in deede there is neither constancy neither approued iudgement in such people who gaue themself so to stubbornnesse Sithen this is so there is nothing but a good cause which maketh that God accepteth vs for his Martyrs for death is common to all A good cause maketh a martyr And the children of God shall be condemned to such shame and torments as though they were theeues But God putteth a difference betweene them in so much that he can not deny this verity the children of God are put to villany in this worlde Therfore it is requisit that on our part we haue sure vndoubted testimony of the doctrine which we doe sustaine For as much as I haue sayd we can not bee moued neither touched with a good intention for any exhortations that any body make to vs to suffer persecution for the Gospel if ther be not a true certeinty of faith grauen in our hearts A man can not suffer persecution for the gospell vnlesse fayth be grauen in his heart for to hazard our life it is not naturall but temeritie for to hazarde our life at all aduenture that is not natural And when we shal so do that shall be but temerity and no Christian vertue at all at length God will approue nothing at alll that wee shall do vnlesse we be well peesuaded that it is for his sake and for his cause that men doe molest vs and that the world is our enemy Now when I speake of such a certeinty I do not meane only that we know to desern betweene true religion and the abuses or follies of men But also that we be well persuaded of the life celestiall and of the crowne whiche is there promised vs after that we haue striuen here beneath In the meane while note that both these two points be requisit VVe must be persuaded of the life celestiall and the glory to come and that no man ought to seperate the one from the other it is meete therefore for vs to begin at this point to knowe well what our Christanitye is what the fayth is which we must mayntein and follow what is the rule that God hath giuen vs Too points necessary in religion to be knowen and that we be defended with such instruction that we can boldly condemn all false lies errors and superstitions whiche the diuell hath brought in for to corrupt the pure simplicity of the doctrine of God wherefore a man must not be amazed if he see not at this present day VVhy men commonly refuse the Crosse of that very many persons that be disposed for the gospell to suffer that the greatest part of those which name themselues Christians knoweth not what it is For al be in manner negligent make no account neiher to heare neither to reade but it is ynough for them that they haue had a little taste of the fayth of Christe beholde then wherefore there be so few of others but if they be assaulted they wil by and by run away This ought to stirre vs vp to enquire more diligently of the trueth of God because we might be certein therof But yet this is not al The want of zeale and loue to the trueth is the cause why men refuse to suffer persecutiō therfore God speaketh to vs in the scriptures that we should be taught wel and haue intelligence for we may see such as seeme to be perfect in good doctrine the which notwithstanding haue neither zeal neither affection in them no more then if they had neuer knowen any thing of God but after some fantasticall will And wherfore is that but in as muche they neuer before comprehended the maiesty of the holy scripture And in deede if we all to gether considered well that it is God which speaketh to vs it is most certeine that we shold be more attentiue to hearken to the same and with a great reuerence when we in reading the scripture doe think that we are at the schole of Angelles The scripture is the schole of Angelles we shal straite haue another care and desire to exercise vs in that doctrin which is set before vs now we seeing that it is the meane to prepare vs to suffer for the gospel that is that we haue so farre profited in the schole of God that wee being assured of the true religion and doctrine which we ought to holde we may auoyd all the craftes and subtelties of the Diuel and all mans inuentions Note howe a true martyr is known from the fals as things not onely of no effect but also accurssed in as much as they corrupt Christian puritie and in this point we as true Martyrs of Iesus Christ do differ from these bedlems that suffer for their foolish opinions Secondarily that wee being certeine of the good cause be enkendled as it is conueniente to followe God whereto soeuer he calleth vs that his word hath such authority with vs as it is worthy and that we being wtdrawn frō the worlde be in maner rauished to seek after the celestiall life But this is a thing very straunge that the brightnesse of God shineth at this day so playnly as it did neuer more and yet there be very fewe that haue a zeale thereto whiche is lamentable and if we bee not ashamed hereof it is so much the worse for vs for wee must come shortly before the great Iudge where that euill which we

go about to couer shal be set before vs with such reproch that there wil be found sufficient cause to cast vs downe altogether to the pit of hell For if we bee bounde to render testimony to God alter the mesure of the knowledge which he hath giuen vs to what tendeth it I praye you that we are so colde and fearefull VVe are bound to confesse our fayth for to enter to this combat sithen that God is in such sort reuealed to vs at this time that a man may say that he hath disclosed and opened the great treasures of his secretes may it not be well sayde that we will not haue any thing to doe with God for if wee had any regard of his maiestie we woulde not bee so bolde as to turne the doctrine which proceedeth out of his mouth into a certeine Phylosophy or speculation I can not tel what To be short ther is no excuse but this is to our greate shame and rather to our horrible condemnation that we haue had so much knowledge of the truth of God haue so litle corage to stand to the same Ouer al when wee consider the martirs in times past Courage to stand is requisit with knowledge The faith of Martyrs in pime past we may wel abhorre the vilany which is in vs for the most part of thē were not much exercised in the holy scripture for to haue knowledge to dispute of all things they know that there was one God alone whome men ought to worshippe and serue Also that they were redemed by the blood of Iesus Christe to this ende to put their trust of saluation in him and in his grace that all that which hath bine found out by mē was not to be esteemed were able therby to cōdemn al idollatry superstitiō the summe of their diuinitie was this ther is one onely God who hath created all the world hath declared vs his wil by Moses by the prophets last of all by Iesus Christe his Apostles we haue one only redeemer who hath redeemed vs by his bloode and grace wherby we trust to be saued Al the Idolles of the world be accurssed execrable hauing nothing but this they went frankly either to the fier or els to any other kind of deathe And this was not done by two or three but in so great multitudes that the number of those whiche bee dead by the handes of Tyrantes is in manner infinite we are of our part so great Clearks that none can be more Now a days much knowledge and litle zeale at least so we think in deede as concerning the vnderstanding of the scripture God hath dealt so largely with vs as euer he hath don with any age Yet not with standing there is scarce one drop of zeal Now to make much of such a feeblenes it is to no purpose vnles we wil willingly prouoke the vengeaunce of God Note what is to be done to haue a courage to suffer what shall we then doe for to take a good courage First of al we haue to cōsider how this thing is pretious before God the confession of our faith for we knowe it slenderlye howe God alloweth the same since our life which is verye nothing is more esteemed of vs In the which we declare a maruelous bestialitie for we can not spare our life in this cause but wee must confesse that the same is more beloued of vs then the honor of God and the saluation of our soules A certaine painime could well saie that it was a miserable thing for a man to put awaie the causes wherfore he doth liue to saue his life neuertheles he and such like neuer knew to what ende men were set in the worlde and for what cause they liue It is true that they had good knoweledge to say that a man ought to follow vertue that a man ought to behaue him selfe honestlie Our life is to glorifie God The prolōging of our life besides Gods wil is malediction and without reproche but all their vertues were but colours smokes we know much better to what our life ought to be imploied that is to glorifie God to the end hee might be our glory without this the woe is ouer vs and we can not prolong our life as much as one minute more of time on the earth in the which wee doe bring so muche the more malediction vpon our own heads Notwithstanding we are not ashamed to purchase here in this world a certaine few daies for vs to lament in renouncing therby the euerlasting kingdome seperating our selues from him by whose vertue we are maintained in life If a man demand of the veriest ignorant persons or els of the most brutest of the world for what cause is it that they liue they dare not simply saye that it was to eate drinke and sleepe The ende of our life is to honor God and to bee ruled by his word for al men do knowe that they were created to a more noble and more excelent end what end can we finde els but to honor God and to suffer our selues to be ruled by him as children of a good father to the intent that after we haue ended the viage of this corruptible life we may be receiued into his eternall inheritaunce beholde this is the principall cause of our life and the selfe same altogether when we make account thereof that we are incarnated to a beastly life the which is worsse then a thousande deathes what may we allege for our expences for to liue and not to knowe wherfore it is against nature plainly And to reiect the causes for the which we liue vnder the pretence of a foolishe appetite for to haue a certaine respite of three daies to the end to dwel in the world being seperate from god I can not tell how a man shall call suche a frensie and rage But because persecutions doe not cease to be grieuous and bitter vnto vs marke how this commeth to passe by what meanes Christians might strengthen them selues to patience euen to yeeld cōstantly their life for Gods verity the text which we haue recited Heb. 13. when it shal be vnder stood is sufficient inough for to induce vs to the same Let vs go out of the country saith the apostle after the Lorde Iesus bearing his reproche In the first parte he exhorteth vs although the swords be not redie drawn vppon vs nether the fires kindled to burn vs that we can not truelie be ioyned to the sonne of God whilest that we be engraffed in this worlde A person of God must haue his affectiō drawn from the world wherfore it is requisite that a christian person being him selfe at rest hath alwayes one foote lift vp to go to battayle and not onely that but that hee hath his affection withdrawne from the worlde albeit the body dwelleth here Although this seemeth to vs a rude thing

at the first looking yet we shoulde bee well contented with this saying of S. Paul 1. Thes 3. which is that we are called and appointed to suffer as who woulde say that the condition of our Christianity is in such sorte that we must passe by this way if we will follow Iesus Christe In the meane while for to comfort our infirmitie and to make sweete the tediousnesse and sorowfulnesse Note our comfort in persecution whiche persecutions might bring vs beholde a good recompence which is that we in suffering for the Gospell doe follow as it were step after step the sonne of God and we haue him for oure guide if it had beene sayde simplye of vs that for to bee Christians wee must passe through the shames of the worlde and must come courageously vnto death as many times as often as it shall please God wee might haue as it seemeth some coulers to reply that this is a thing very straunge to make on stray away VVe must be like to the image of Christe But where it is commāded vs to followe the Lord Iesus his conduct is too good and honorable for vs to refuse Now to the end that we might be the better moued it is not only sayde that Iesus goeth before vs as our captaine but also that we be made like to his image as S. Paule speaketh thereof the eight Chapter to the Romans Rom. 8. That God hath ordeined all those whom he hath chosen for his children for to be made conformable to him who is the patron and head of vs al are we so delicate that we will not suffer nothing it behoueth vs to declare the grace of God by the which he hath called vs vnto the hope of saluation For these be two things that can not be seperated Two things necessary in a Christian we may not regard the shame of the world in Christes cause for to be the mēber of Iesus Christ and to be exercised with many afflictions Certeinly we ought a great deale more esteeme such a conformitie with the sonne of God then we otherwise doe It is true that after the iudgement of the world it is shame to suffer for the Gospell but sithen that wee knowe that the faythlesse bee blynde shoulde wee not haue better eyes then they Acts. 5. It is ignominy to be afflicted by thē which occupy the seat of righteousnesse but Saint Paul sheweth vs by his example that wee haue to glory in the woundes of Iesus Christ as in the marks by the which God acknowledgeth and alloweth vs for his And we know what S. Luke reherseth of Peter and Iohn that is how they reioyced of that they were counted worthy to suffer infamy and reproch for the name of the Lorde Iesus beholde two contrary things Ignominy and dignity It is a dignity for a Christian man to suffer verily for as the world is foolish it iudgeth against al reason by this means conuerteth the glory of God to dishonour Then of our part let vs not refuse to be dispised before the worlde that we may be honored before God and his angels We see what paine ambitious men do take for to obtain the order of a King and what triumphes they make therein The sonne of God offereth vs his order and euerye body refuseth it I pray you in this doing are we worthie to haue any thing commen with him our sensualitie can not bite here but is of suche balure that the same be the verye bages of our noblenes imprisonment banishment curssings do not bring after mans fancies but all reproche Looke not in thy trouble what the world iudgeth but what God iudgeth but what letteth vs to beholde that which God iudgeth thereof and pronounceth but onely our infidelity wherfore is it that the name of the sonne of god hath such importance with vs as it is worthie to the ende we should learne to take to honor that hee printeth in vs his marks otherwise our vnthankefulnes is not to be borne If God should punishe vs after our demerits hath he not daily iust occasion to chastise vs in a thousand sorts Moreouer then this a hundred thousand deathes were not suffitient for a little portion of our misdoings yet by his infinite goodnes he putteth vnder foote al our trespasses and doth them away and in steede of punishing vs according to that we haue deserued he findeth a wonderfull meanes for to make the afflictions to be turned to our honor and into a speciall priuelege By affliction we are made companions with Christ in so much that by the same we are associate into the companye of his sonne may it not well bee saied when we disdain so blessed a condicion that we haue very euill profited in the doctrine of Christ Beholde why saint Peter 2. Peter 4. after he had exhorted vs so holily in the feare of God that we should not suffer as theeues whoremongers and murtherers he addeth howe and in what manner let vs suffer as Christians that wee might glorifie God for the good which he doth to vs. To defende the veritie is an honor aboue the Aungels It is not without cause that he speaketh in this wise for what are we I pray you to be witnesses to the verity of God procurers to maynteine his cause Behold here pore wormes of the earthe creatures full of vanitye alltogether and yet God willeth vs that we defend his verity which is an honour that perteineth not to the very aungelles of paradise Ought not this consideration alone so much to enflame vs to offer our selues to God for that which pleaseth him to apply vs to so honourable a thing not withstanding many can not refrain themselues to encounter against God or at the least to make their complaintes of this that God doeth not bear better with their weaknes An aunswer to the obiection of of weaklings 1. Peter 1. This is meruelous say they since that God hath chosen vs for his children how can he abide it that we bee thus defiled and tormented with the wicked I aunsweare although it doth not appear to vs wherefore he doth it yet it should haue this authority with vs to make vs walke after his pleasure But when we looke in our patern Iesus Christe ought not wee to iudge it a great felicity for to be made like vnto him without any further question Notwithstanding God sheweth vs causes very euident for the which he willeth vs to be persecuted 1. Peter 1. If ther were none other reason but that S. Peter maketh we were very co● if wee woulde not bee content therewith that is since that gold and siluer which be not but corruptible mettalles bee purged and examined by the fire It is the will of God vve should suffer persecution it is good reason that our fayth which surmounteth all the riches of the worlde be proued God might haue crouned vs as

that they haue no care to serue God whiles they liue And yet neuertheles this ought to be our ordinary and continuall study and specially in this time wherein we liue In the meane time they whome God hath called to suffer for the testimonye of his name ought to shew in very deede that they were prepared long before too stande thereto constantly And then they ought to cal into their remembrance al the exhortations that they haue hard in times past as if a souldier shoulde take armes when the Trumpet doeth sound But what there is no question of seeking starting holes to escape Persecution is the touchstone wherby god doth discouer his people I speake in respect of the greatest parte For persecution is a true touchstone whereby God discouereth and trieth who are his So farre of is it that he shoulde many times finde who is faythfull vnto him vntill that they franckly offer themselues to death But this is as it were an incredible thing that people whiche boast of some little knowledge of the Gospell Cauilations of the weaklings Mar. 8. VVe must confesse Christ is truth before the wicked VVe must commit our life to the handes of God dare open their mouth to vse such cauilations For one sort say what shall wee game to confesse our faith to obstinate people and to suche who haue determined to fight agaynst God Is not this to cast precious stones before swine As though Iesus Christ had not expresly declared that he will that men confesse him amongst the moste peruerse wickedst men If they be not therby edefied yet at the least they remain cōfounded of such a sweet smelling sauour is the confessiō before god how deadly soeuer it be to the reprobate Others also may be foūd who say what shall our death profit It rather falleth out to an offence as if God had left to their choise to die when they thinke good and when they shall see a fit time But contrariwise wee approue oure obedience leauing the profit into his hand that shall come of our death Wherefore in the first place it behoueth that a christian man in what country soeuer he be notwithstanding daungers and threatninges that hee fully determine to walke in simplicity as God hath commaunded Let him keep him selfe asmuch as he can from the rage of the Wolues so that the same be not done thorough the crafte of the flesh Aboue all let him resign his life into Gods hands Hath he done this If it fall out that hee fall into the handes of enemies let him thinke that God hath brought him into that place He that is once caught for religion hath no means to go backe It is necessary that we aunswere to all that the wicked demand of vs. will haue him to be one of the witnesses of his sonne and therefore that there is no way to draw backe vnlesse it be in denying our fayth to him to whom we haue promised all duety both to liue and to dye and to whome wee are and belong although wee had promised nothing vnto him Hereby I doe not binde all men of necessitye to make a full and entire confession of all that they beleeue admit that they were therto required S. Paul in this point hath vsed a good moderation who was as ready as any other freely to mainteine the cause of the gospel as he ought And also it was not without cause that our Lorde Iesus promised that in suche a case hee will giue vs a mouth Wisedome as if he should say that the office of the holy ghost is not only to strengthen vs to be bold and valiant but also to giue vnto vs Wisdome and discretion to know howe it becommeth vs to rule and gouerne our selues in so great and harde a matter why Christe sometime helde his peace It is the rule of christians to confesse his faith being required Christ neuer dissembled to saue his life Rosse his examination which he wrote is here answered The testimony of the verity ought more to bee regarded of vs then our life VVee maye not regarde what other men do but what they ought to do Iohn 21. The summe is that they which are in such distresse should ask and receiue such Wisdome from aboue not following their carnall counsell to seeke a waye to escape as they say by any crosse or bypathes There are also whiche reply that our Sauiour Iesus Christ himselfe aunswered not to them that asked of him But I say firste of all that this serueth not to abolishe the rule which hee hath giuen vs to make confession of our fayth when we are thereto required Secondly I say that he neuer dissēbled to saue his life Thirdly that he neuer gaue answer so doubtful that it did not import sufficient witnesse of that which he had spoken or rather that hee had not satisfied them already which came to aske him further as it were laying nettes to catch him Wherefore let this point remaine resolute amongst all Christians that is that they ought not to account their liues more dear then the testimony of the trueth inasmuche as God will be glorified in it Is it in vain that hee calleth all those witnesses for the word Martyrs signifith the same that haue answered to the enemies of the fayth Is it not because he would haue them serue to such purpose And here euery one must not looke to his fellow and companion for God doth not shew this honour to al to cal them thereto And forasmuch as we are giuen to marke others VVe must arme our selues with the promises of God in our afflictions the more we ought to take heed thereof Peter hauing hard at the mouth of our Lord Iesus Christe that hee shold be led in his old age whither he wold not asketh what should become of Iohn his companion There is none of vs but hee would willingly make such a reply For this we imagine by and by Why do I rather suffer then others But contrariwise Iesus Christe exhorteth all in generall and euery one in particular alwayes to be ready to the end that as he shal call hither one or other euery man may march forth in his ranke and order I haue shewed before that we shall be ill appointed to suffer Martyrdome vnlesse that we be armed with Gods promises It remayneth now that we laye out a little more fully wherto they tend not to specifie al by piecemeale exactly but to shew the principal things that God would haue vs to hope for to the end to cōfort vs in oure afflictions Nowe these are briefly three thinges three things specially to be considered of a person vnder the crosse The first is that forasmuche as our life and death are in his hande that he will in such fort preserue vs by his power that not one hayre of our heads shall fal but by his licence Wherefore the faythfull ought to holde themselues assured