The Institution of Christian Religion

Moreover▪ the most merciful father needeth not only to prevent §6our weakness, but many times to correct our passed offences. Therefore so oft as we be afflicted, the remembrance of our forepassed […] ought by and by to enter into our mind: so without doubt we shall find that we have done somewhat worthy of chastisement. Yet we ⟨image 244⟩ought not chiefly to ground our exhortation to patience upon the acknowledging of sin. For the Scripture ministereth us a far better consideration,¹ when it saith, that the Lord correcteth us with adversities, that we should not be damned with this world. Therefore we ought even in the very sharpness of tribulations to acknowledge the kindness & goodness of our father toward us, forasmuch as even then he ceaseth not to further our salvation. For he doth afflict, not to destroy or kill us, but rather to deliver us from the damnation of the world. That thought shall lead us to that, which the Scripture teacheth in an other place:² My son, refuse not the Lords correction, nor be weary when thou shalt be rebuked of him. For whom the Lord loveth, he correcteth, and embraceth him as a father doth his child. When we know his rod to be y• rod of a father, is it not our duty rather to show our selves obedient children and willing to learn, than with obstinacy to do like desperate men, that are hardened with evil doings? The Lord leseth us, unless he call us back by correction when we are fallen away from him: so that the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews rightly saith that we are bastards,³ and not children if we be out of correction. Therefore we are most froward, if we can not suffer him when he declareth his good will & the care that he hath for our salvation. This y• Scripture teacheth to be the difference between the unbelievers & the faithful, that the unbelievers as the bond slaves of a rooted & hardened wickedness, are made the worse & more obstinate with whipping: the faithful, like children having an honest freedom of nature, do thereby profit to repentance. Now must thou choose of whether number thou wilt be. But because I have spoken of this matter in an other place, I am content to touch it briefly, & so will make an end.