The Institution of Christian Religion

Also in the second sort of his works, I mean those that come to §6pass beside the ordinary course of nature, there doeth appear no less evident proof of his powers. For in governing the fellowship of men he so ordereth his providence, that whereas he is by innumerable means good and bountiful to all men, yet by manifest and daily tokens he declareth his favourable kindness to the godly, and his severity to the wicked and evil doers. For not doubtful are the punishments that he layeth upon heinous offences: like as he doeth openly show himself a defender and revenger of innocency, while he prospereth the life of good men with his blessing, helpeth their necessity, assuageth and comforteth their sorrows, relieveth their calamities, and by all means provideth for their safety. Neither ought it any thing to deface the perpetual rule of his justice, that he oftentimes permitteth wicked men and evil doers for a time to rejoice unpunished: and on the other side suffereth good and innocent to be tossed with many adversities, yea and to be oppressed with the malice and unjust dealing of the ungodly. But rather a much contrary consideration ought to enter into our minds: that when by manifest show of his wrath he punisheth one sin, we should therefore think that he hateth all sins: and when he suffereth many sins to pass unpunished, we should there upon think that there shall be an other judgement to which they are differed to be then punished. Likewise how great matter doth it minister us to consider his mercy, while he oftentimes ceaseth not to show his unwearied bountifulness upon miserable sinners in calling them home to him with more than fatherly tenderness, until he have subdued their frowardness with doing them good?

Also in the seconde sorte of his woorkes, I meane those that come to §6passe byside the ordinary course of nature, there doeth appeare no lesse euident profe of his powers. For in gouerning the felowship of men he so ordereth his prouidence, that wheras he is by innumerable meanes good and bountifull to al men, yet by manifest and dayly tokens he declareth his fauourable kindnes to the godly, and his seuerite to the wicked and euill doers. For not doutefull are the punishmentes that he layeth vppon hainous offences: lyke as he doeth openly shewe hymself a defendoure and reuenger of innocencye, while he prospereth the lyfe of good menne wyth hys blessynge, helpeth their necessitye, asswageth and comforteth their sorowes, relieueth their calaunties, and by al meanes prouideth for their safety. Neyther ought it any thyng to deface the perpetuall rule of his iustice, that he oftentymes permitteth wicked men and euill dooers for a tyme to reioyse vnpunished: and on the other side suffreth good and innocent to be tossed wyth many aduersities, yea and to be oppressed with the malice and vniust dealing of the vngodly. But rather a much contrary consideracion ought to enter into our mindes: that when by manifest shewe of his wrath he punisheth one sinne, we shoulde therefore thinke that he hateth all sinnes: and when he suffereth many sinnes to passe vnpunished, we should there vpon thinke that ther shalbe an other iudgemente to which they are differed to bee then punyshed. Likewise how great matter doth it minister vs to cōsider his mercy, while he oftentimes cesseth not to shew his vnweried boūtifulnes vpon miserable sinners in calling them home to him with more than fatherly tendernes, vntil he haue subdued their frowardnes with doinge them good?