Divers sermons of Master John Calvin, concerning the divinity, humanity, and nativity of our…Diuers sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, concerning the diuinitie, humanitie, and natiuitie of our…

Howbeit he receiveth of us the thing which is of no value, even as a father taketh of his children many things in good part, which otherwise ⟨p. 88⟩were very babbles and trifles, Thus we see how liberally God dealeth with us, and yet he would not have us please and flatter our selves in our sins. Let us therefore behold how the Angel correcteth these women's imperfection: & although their drift was to a good end, yet are they condemned of a particular vice which was in them. And lo, why S. Luke saith that they were most sharply rebuked: when it is said,¹ wherefore seek you the living among the dead? but we are here to observe, that the faithless & wicked soldiers, who had no fear either of God, or of religion, were terrified, & became like mad men: indeed the women were also afeard, but they were forthwith comforted. And thus we see how terrible the majesty of God is to all those unto whom he showeth himself, and he doth it because we should feel our frailness, whenas God manifesteth himself unto us: and where before, we were presumptuously puffed up, and so emboldened, as that we thought our selves too be no mortal men, whenas God showed us any sign of his presence, therefore it was meet, that of necessity we should be confoū dead, and be brought to acknowledge our estate to be but dust & ashes, & all our virtues to be, but as slitting & vanishing smoke. And this falleth out, both to good & bad. Moreover, when God terrifieth the faithless, he leaveth them as reprobates, because they are no way worthy to taste of his goodness. We also see, why they fly his presence, why they set them selves against him, & gnash their teethe, & become so furious as that they are without all wit & reason, & do become even very brutish. But the faithful although they be terrified, yet are they relieved, and take good courage, because that God comforteth and gladdeth them. And therefore, the fear wherewith the presence of the majesty of God terrifieth the faithful, is but a preparative to humble them, to the end they might reverence and obey him as he is worthy, and confess themselves to be nothing, that they might look for all their blessedness in him alone. Here then we see why the Angel said, fear not. Now, this saying, is worthy the noting:

Howbeit he receueth of vs ye thing which is of no value, euen as a father taketh of his children many things in good part, which otherwise ⟨p. 88⟩