The Institution of Christian Religion

But that we may have the whole matter shortly and in a ready sum, let this be the first of two distinctions. Wheresoever punishment is to revenge, there showeth it self the curse and wrath of God, which he alway withholdeth from the faithful.¹ Contrariwise Chastisement both is a blessing of God, and beareth a testimony of his love, as the Scripture teacheth. This difference is commonly every where sufficiently expressed in the word of God. For what so ever afflictions the wicked •uffer in this present life, therein is painted out unto us as it were a certain entry of hell, from whence they do already see a far of their eternal damnation: and they are so far from being amended or taking any profit thereby, that rather by such beginnings they are prepared to the most cruel hell that at length abideth for them.² But the lord chastising chastiseth his servants, but he doth not put them to death. Therefore they confess that to be beaten ⟨image 228⟩with his rod, was good for them into true instruction. But as we read every where that the holy ones suffer such punishments with quiet mind, so they have alway prayed to escape the first kind of scourges. Chastise me Lord (saith Jeremiah) but in thy judgement,³ not in thy wrath, least thou destroy me. Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that have not known thee, & upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.⁴ And David saith: Lord rebuke me not in thy wrath, nor correct me in thine anger. And it maketh nothing to the contrary, that oftentimes it is said, that the Lord is angry with them that be his, when he punisheth their sins. As in Isaiah:⁵ I will confess to thee O lord, because thou hast be angry with me: thy wrath is turned, & thou hast comforted me. Again Habakkuk.⁶ Thou that hast ben angry shall remember mercy. And Michee: