and rearing vp of the worke, two things are neceſſarie, Firſt, that we haue a lyuely & ſtedfaſt faith in Chriſt Iesus, who muſt ‖Epheſ.3.17 dwel in our heartes, as the only meanes and aſſurance of our ſaluation: for he is the ‖Gen.28.12 ladder that reacheth from the earth to heauen: he lifteth vp his Churche and ſetteth it in the heauenly places: he maketh vs‖ flyuely ſtones and buildeth vs vpon him ſelfe:he ioyneth vs to him ſelfe as the me bres and body to the head: yea he maketh him ſelfe and his Churche one ‖ Chriſt. The next is, that our faith bring forthe good fruites, ſo that our godly conuerſation may ſerue vs as a witnes to ‖ confime our election, and be an example to all others to ‖ walke as apperteyneth to the vocation whereunto thei are called: left the worde of God be cuil ‖ spoken of,and this building be ſtayed to growe vp to a juſt height, which ca not be without the great prouocatio of Gods iuſte vengeance and diſcouraging of many thouſandes through all the worlde, if the ſhulde ſe that our life were not holy and agreable to our profeſsion. For the eyes of all that feare God in all places beholde your countreyes as an example to all that beleue,and the prayers of all the godly at all tymes are directed to God for the preferuatio of your maieftie.For confidering Gods wonderful mercies toward you at all feafons, who 2-3 hath pulled you out of the mouthe of the lyons, and how that from your youth you haue bene broght vp in the holy Scriptures, the hope of all men is fo increaſed, that thei ca not but looke that God hulde bring to paffe fome wōderful worke by your grace to the vniucrfal comfort of his Chuiche. Therefore euen aboue ftrēgth. you muft fhewe your felfe ftrong and bolde in Gods matters: and thogh Satan lay all his power and craft togetherto hurt and hinder the Lordes building yet be you. affured that God wil fight from heauen againft this great dragon, the ancient fer- pent, which is called the deuil and Satan.til he haue accomplished the whole wor- Ephef.4.27 ke and made his Churche glorious to him felfe, without fpot or windle. For al- best all other kingdomes and monarchies, as the Babylonians,Perfians, Grecians & Romains haue fallen & taken end:yer the Churche of Chrift euen vnder the Croffe hath from the begynning of the worlde bene victorious, and fhalbe euerlafting- ly. Trueth it is, that fome tvme it femeth to be fhadowed with acloude,oi diuen with a flormie perfection, yet fuddenly the beames of Chift the funne of iuftice fhine and bring it to light and libertie Iffor atyme it he couered with athes, yet it is quickely kinde led agayne by the wynde of God-Spirit: thogh it feme drowned in the fea,or parched and pyned in the wildernes, yet God gueth euer good !uc- ceffe.for he punil'heth the enemies, and deliuereth his, nouruheth them and ftil pre- ferueth the vnder his wyngs. This Lord of loides & King of kings who hatheuer defended his, ftrengthe,cófort and preferue your maieftie,that you may be able to builde vp the ruines of Gods houfe to his glone, the difcharge of your confcience, and to the comfort of all them that loue the comming of Chrift Iefus our Lord. From Geneua. 10. April. 1560.
Renel.12.9
