we obstinately refuse to use the defense and weapons
that God has offered. Yea, I say, that God’s
elect can not refuse it, but seek for their Defender
when the battle is most strong; for the sobs, groans,
and lamentations of such as fight, yea, the fear they
have lest they be vanquished, the calling and prayer
for continuance, are the undoubted and right seeking
of Christ our champion. We refuse not the weapon,
altho sometimes, by infirmity, we can not use it as
we would. It suffices that your hearts unfeignedly
sob for greater strength, for continuance, and for
final deliverance by Christ Jesus; that which is wanting
in us, His sufficiency doth supply; for it is He that
fighteth and overcometh for us. But for bringing
of the examples of the Scriptures, if God permit,
in the end we shall speak more largely when it shall
be treated why Christ permitted Himself thus to be
tempted. Sundry impediments now call me from writing
in this matter, but, by God’s grace, at convenient
leisure I purpose to finish, and to send it to you.
I grant the matter that proceeds from me is not worthy
of your pain and labor to read it; yet, seeing it is
a testimony of my good mind toward you, I doubt not
but you will accept it in good part. God, the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant unto you to
find favor and mercy of the Judge, whose eyes and
knowledge pierce through the secret cogitations of
the heart, in the day of temptation, which shall come
upon all flesh, according to that mercy which you (illuminated
and directed by His Holy Spirit) have showed to the
afflicted. Now the God of all comfort and consolation
confirm and strengthen you in His power unto the end.
Amen.
CALVIN
ENDURING PERSECUTION FOR CHRIST
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
John Calvin was born in 1509, at Noyon, France.
He has been called the greatest of Protestant commentators
and theologians, and the inspirer of the Puritan exodus.
He often preached every day for weeks in succession.
He possest two of the greatest elements in successful
pulpit oratory, self-reliance and authority.
It was said of him, as it was afterward said of Webster,
that “every word weighed a pound.”
His style was simple, direct, and convincing.
He made men think. His splendid contributions
to religious thought, and his influence upon individual
liberty, give him a distinguished place among great
reformers and preachers. His idea of preaching
is thus exprest in his own words: “True
preaching must not be dead, but living and effective.
No parade of rhetoric, but the Spirit of God must
resound in the voice in order to operate with power.”
He died at Geneva in 1564.
ENDURING PERSECUTION FOR CHRIST
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the
camp bearing his reproach.—Hebrews
xiii., 13.
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