Abel redevivus or, The dead yet speaking. The Lives and Deaths of the Moderne Divines. Written by severall able and learned Men (whose names ye shall finde in the Epistle to the Reader.) And now digested into one Volumne, for the benefit and satisfaction of all those that desire to be acquainted with the Paths of Piety and Virtve [by Thomas Fuller] |
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The Life and Death of John Calvin.
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The Life and Death of John Calvin.
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[How happens it that this is Calvins share]
How happens it that this is Calvins share,
To lye under this little, unknowne pare?
Is not this he who living did appeare,
Decaying Romes continued dread and feare?
Whose death the godly doth with sorrow fill,
And at whose name the wicked tremble still?
Whose life was knowne to be so holy, cleare,
That vertue might have learn'd a lesson here?
To lye under this little, unknowne pare?
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Decaying Romes continued dread and feare?
Whose death the godly doth with sorrow fill,
And at whose name the wicked tremble still?
Whose life was knowne to be so holy, cleare,
That vertue might have learn'd a lesson here?
'Tis true, but know that humble modesty,
Which in his life did him accompany:
That hath ordained this green and turfie cover,
On his deceased Corpes to be laid over:
But since thou coverest such an one as hee,
How can the Marbles all, but envy thee.
Which in his life did him accompany:
That hath ordained this green and turfie cover,
On his deceased Corpes to be laid over:
But since thou coverest such an one as hee,
How can the Marbles all, but envy thee.
286
[Had we but such Reformers in our dayes]
Had we but such Reformers in our dayesAs Calvin was, we should have cause to praise
Their blest endeavours; but alas our Times
Are daily acting (not Reforming) Crimes;
Heroick Calvins heart was alwayes true
To truth, and still would give the Church her due,
His soul was truely willing to take paines,
More for the publicke good, then private gaines.
His life was fil'd with troubles, yet his mind
(Even like the glistring Glow-worme) alwayes shin'd
Brightest, when most surrounded with the night
Of sad afflictions; Calvins whole delight
Was in the law of God, from which his heart
Being steel'd with truth, could not be mov'd to start.
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