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…

And therefore we see, what we are to think of the providence of god, to wit, that S. Peter would have no fantastical things set down, nor yet have us search after subtleties, with edify not. His meaning then, is not to proceed after any such sort: but showeth that God hath so well provided for our salvation, as that we need not seek for any other mean, but that only which he hath appointed. And besides, he would have us understand, that we are so sure under the hand of God & his protection, as that nothing can be done against us, but that which he hath determined, For if it were not so, what should become of us, if we were guided by fortune (as mad men think we are) surely our estate were more accursed then the estate of brute beasts. But whenas we understand that god is the governor of all things this ought greatly to comfort us, & we might thereon very well stay our selves. Wherefore we see it to be a necessary virtue to know the providence of god. And therefore we are to consider, that as Jesus Christ suffered nothing, but by Gods permission, even so, whatsoever shall betide us cometh from God, this then is it with we are to observe here in this place. Yea, & we are throughly to consider of this word counsel Indeed there are some men which will speak of the providence of God, but it shall be but a foolish imagination thereof, for they think that he himself taketh his ease in heaven above, & giveth fortune or nature leave to rule here below. Now, we are contrariwise here told, ye God ordaineth all things, & disposeth every thing at his will & pleasure. True it is that the same is unknown to us, neither can we comprehend it: but we must be only contented to understand ⟨p. 194⟩that he is the Governor thereof: neither must we as I have already said) do as some foolish fellows do, who say. And if God knoweth what shall come to pass: it is not for us to set down any order, and therefore to what end should we use counsel & advise? Thus we see what reason these fantastical fellows would yield unto their follies, which are over great arrogancies, for God to leave unpunished. For, although god calleth us not into his secret counsel to declare unto us his will, & determination, yet let us know that he governeth us by his hand, & that the wicked can do nothing against us, except the Lord giveth them leave. And yet there remaineth a certain order in nature:

And therefore wee see, what wee are to thinke of the prouidence of god, to wit, yt S. Peter would haue no fantastical things set down, nor yet haue vs serch after subtilties, wt edifie not. His meaning then, is not to procéede after any such sort: but sheweth that God hath so well prouided for our saluation, as that we neede not séeke for any other meane, but that onely which he hath appointed. And besids, he would haue vs vnderstād, yt we are so sure vnder ye hand of God & his protection, as that nothing can be done against vs, but that which he hath determined, For if it were not so, what should become of vs, if we were guided by fortune (as mad men think we are) surely our estate were more accursed then the estate of brute beasts. But whēas we vnderstād yt god is ye gouernour of al things this ought greatly to comfort vs, & we might theron very well stay our selues. Wherfore we sée it to be a necessary vertue to know ye prouidēce of god. And therfore we are to cōsider, yt as Iesus Christ suffred nothing, but by Gods permission, euen so, whatsoeuer shal betide vs cōmeth frō God, this then is it wt we are to obserue here in this place. Yea, & we are throughly to cōsider of this word counsel Indéed there are some men which wil speake of the prouidence of God, but it shalbe but a foolish imaginatiō therof, for they thinke that he himselfe taketh his ease in heauē aboue, & giueth fortune or nature leaue to rule here below. Now, we are contrariwise here told, ye God ordeyneth al things, & disposeth euery thing at his will & pleasure. True it is that the same is vnknown to vs, neither can we comprehende it: but we must be onely contented to vnderstād