The Immortality of the Soul, Conclusion
❀ The opinion and abſolute concluſion of Maiſter Iohn Calvine, in and about the queſtions enſuing: agreeing with the opinion of Phillip Melancton, Peter Martyr, and Martin Bucer. All godly, notable, and excellent learned Miniſters in the Church of God.
BEcauſe (ſayth he) I verely think, that the parties abouenamed hauehave ſufficiently ſayd, that that man doth not the duety of a Chriſtian, who in all the dayes of his lyfe, maketh not a confeſſion of his fayth: Much leſſe then, he who defileth himſelfe with diſſimuling of Idolatry: therefore will I ceaſe to diſpute thereof at large. Neuertheleſſe, This is my opinion and aunſwere to the Queſtions following.
Firſt, Whether a godly and deuoute man, may rather forſake his Countrey, and leaue his calling, then to be preſent at Maſſes, at the celebration of the burialls of the dead, after the popiſhe manner, and vſurpe ſuch ceremonies of Popery, as are agaynſt the word of God.
I aunſwere, that not onelyonly the ſpirituall Worſhipp of God, but alſo the outward profeſſion of him, wherein is conteyned the glory of his Maieſtie, are to be preferred before Countrey and kinſefolkes, yea before lyfe it ſelfe. And therefore, whoſoeuer they be which lyue in ſuch places, as that they cannot performe that duety vntounto God which is neceſſarily required of all Chriſtians, let them vnderſtand thus much, that this commaundement ſtretcheth it ſelfe aſwell vntounto them, as vntounto Abraham, where it is ſayd in Gene. 12.1. Get the out of thy Countrey, & from emongeſt thy kinred, except peraduenture they hauehave this couragious minde with them, that they had rather dye whenſoeuer they ſhall be driuen thereto, thē forſake their profeſſion, for any fauour or gayne whatſoeuer, which they may any way obtaine at the handes of men,
Here is alſo another obiection, that no lawfull vocation or calling appointed by God, is for any cauſe vnaduiſedly to be neglected: and therefore in no wiſe to be voluntarily leaft.
I aunſwere, that eueryevery Chriſtian is bound vntounto his calling, euen to the vttermoſt of his power. Wherefore, except God would render vp his owne title and intereſt, there is nothing that ought, or may hold vsus from doing our duety. For either God is to be reſpected in the calling, or els we hauehave ſome other end and purpoſe. And therefore without we make the chiefeſt accompt of the glory of God, this name or title of calling, is but vainely foiſted in. Howbeit if this obtayne the principall place, as it is good reaſon it ſhould, we are to call to minde that we are ſo farfourth bound to our calling, as that it ought by no meane to withdraw vsus from the true and ſincere worſhipp of God. To be ſhort, lyke as the firſt table of the law taketh place before the ſecond, Euen ſo lykewiſe are all the dueties of the ſecond Table to be directed vntounto it, as to a true and perfect ſquare. For, this is the ſomme and effect of the firſt Table, to hold and keepe the pure worſhipp, adoration, & inuocation of our God.
This therefore is my opinion, That there is nothing in all the world of ſo great a price whatſoeuer, which ought to cauſe any Chriſtian to prophane himſelfe with any dregges of ſuperſtition, thereby to dyminiſhe or violate the worſhipp of God. For if he doe, it is impoſſible for him to be excuſed.
Furthermore, when as I in this ſort ſhall ſet downe, that popiſhe Maſſes, and dyrges, and all ſolemne prayers, wherein the dead Saintes are called vpō, are of this kinde: he that ſhall heare me, will neuer agree to heare Maſſe, or yet be preſent at any ſuch filthy traſhe, neither yet once flatter himſelfe, as if he might doe it.
But what if ſome man, by fine, and cleanly diſſembling, for the Commōweales ſake, and the benefite of many, were able to redeeme great riches and commodities?
I aunſwere, that none of all theſe thing are able once to counteruaile the true and neceſſary profeſſion of the worſhip of God and the teſtimony of Religion. And beſide… it is not for vsus to make a reckoning of tha… which ſhall be moſt profitable: But we ar… to follow that which the Lord preſcribeth vntounto vsus.
For it belongeth to God alone to gouerne the euentes. Laſtly, it is not for vsus to alte… that which he hath ſet downe, by any cyrcumſtaunces, but we are to keepe our ſelues vnſpotted and blameles towardes his Maieſtie, both in ſoule and body.
But what if a greuous and hurtefull offence ſhould ariſe through the departure of ſome, ſo that the cruelty of the vngodly might be prouoked, and occaſion of backſlyding be geuen to the weake?
I aunſwere, that this is a thing vncertayne vntounto vsus: For God may ſo moderate the matter, as that all thinges may turne to the contrary. And ſurely, there is not ſo much hurt to be feared thereof, as hope of much good. For, how furiouſly ſoeuer the wicked are blinded, it will be a notable hoate yron to wound their conſciences, to ſee, that they which doe depart, had rather forſake their Countrey, kinſfolkes, and whatſoeuer els that men greatlyeſt delight in, then to defile themſelues with Idolatry. And …herefore, ſuch great magnanimitie will …ore preuaile to burſt their ſtubborne harts, …hen furiouſly ſet them on fier. And it will …e a cauſe rather to confirme the weake, …hen make them ſtumble and ſtagger at it. Neuertheleſſe, be it that all theſe daungers …ang euen ouer our hedds, yet is it our du…y to goe on without all controuerſie, and …ayneſaying, whether ſoeuer it ſhall pleaſe …he Lord our God to call vsus, and commend …nto his Maieſtie the gouernement of the …uentes. OnelyOnly, let vsus make earneſt and …arty prayers, that he would turne and di…ect them to a good end and purpoſe.
Here alſo ariſeth a complaynt of thoſe which are very well able to helpe and re…ieue the poore Brethren, that are troubled …or the teſtimony of Chriſt. For, if (ſay they) …hey forſake the place, they alſo leaue them without helpe.
I aunſwere, that there can be no better …ouncell geuen to ſuch,, then euen to ha…ard their lyues, for the confirmation of the glory of Chriſt: Howbeit, if they hauehave not …hat courage, no duety of the ſecond Table …xcuſeth them from Idolatry, and other …regges of ſuperſtition.
Now then, to come to the very ſtate, and …umme of the Queſtion, I thinke, that this mine aunſwere, differeth not from the …udgement of the reſt. For, ſeing that Mai…ter Phillip, with whome the other two agree, although he aunſwereth not perticulerly, and ſeuerally vntounto theſe obiections yet ſince in a word, he excludeth all pretenſes, he ſufficiently teſtifieth, that in his opinion, there is nothing of ſo great waight, nor more pernicious, then to geue lybertie to a Chriſtian, to vſe the very leaſt diſſembled profeſſion of Idolatry.
FINIS.
AT LONDON Printed by Iohn Day, dwelling ouer Alderſgate. Anno. Domi. 1581.
End of the text · John Calvin, The Immortality of the Soul (1581)