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…

Again, if we be separated from him, where must we find power and strength but in him? But by the way, we see that he would in no wise let his business be undone. Let us then here behold the Son of GOD, who, when we are in sorrow and anguish guideth us by his example unto the true refuge, But let us also note what form of prayer he useth, O my Father, if it be possible, Let this cup pass from me, or this drink: For this is spoken by way of similitude, when he speaketh of a Cruse, Glass, or a Cup? Because the Scripture calleth afflictions, bitter drinks, to the end we might know that nothing cometh by chance: But that God as an Householder distributeth to every man as pleaseth him. For like as a Father will give unto every of his children his portion, or a Master to his servants, Even so doeth God show that he scourgeth and afflicteth them with his own hand: And likewise when we have any benefits, it cometh of his free goodness, and giveth us as much of them as he thinketh to be good for us. And after this common manner it is, that our Lord Jesus saith that death is to him so bitter drink, & would gladly have it to pass from him, yea If it were possible, In very deed, about this, might many questions be moved: For it should seem at the first sight, that Jesus Christ had forgotten our salvation, or rather in flying from the light, meant to leave us in destruction, by reason of the fear that he had conceived. Now, this will never agree with that which we have said: & especially, the love which he hath showed us should be greatly darkened. But we need not to enter into such subtle disputations: Because we know that a passion, oftentimes so taketh away the mind of a man, as that he thinketh ⟨p. 23⟩not either of one thing or of an other: But being vexed with the present grief, he there casteth himself, without having any other regard for the upholding of himself. Wherefore, when our minds are thus ravished, we cannot say that the rest is clean blotted out of our hearts, and that we have no affection. As for example, A man that considereth of some affliction of the Church, namely, of a particular affliction, he will pray unto GOD as if the rest of the world were nothing to him. Now, is it therefore for us to say, that this is an unkind man, and hath no care of his brethren, who have as great need also to be prayed for? No:

Againe, if wée bée separated from him, where must wée finde power and strength but in him? But by the way, wée sée that hée woulde in no wise let his businesse be vndone. Let vs then héere beholde the Sonne of GOD, who, when wée are in sorow and anguishe guideth vs by his exāple vnto the true refuge, But let vs also note what forme of prayer hée vseth, O my Father, if it bee possible, Let this cup passe from mee, or this drinke: For this is spoken by way of similitude, when hée speaketh of a Cruse, Glasse, or a Cuppe? Because the Scripture calleth afflictions, bytter drinkes, to the ende wée might knowe that nothing commeth by chaunce: But that God as an Housholder distributeth to euery man as pleaseth him. For like as a Father will geue vnto euery of his children his portion, or a Maister to his seruantes, Euen so doeth God shewe that hee scourgeth and afflicteth them with his owne hand: And likewise when we haue any benefits, it cōmeth of his frée goodnes, and geueth vs as much of thē as hee thinketh to be good for vs. And after this cōmon maner it is, yt our Lord Iesus saith that death is to him so bitter drink, & would gladly haue it to passe frō him, yea If it were possible, In very déed, about this, might many questions be moued: For it should séeme at ye first sight, that Iesus Christ had forgoten our saluatiō, or rather in flying frō ye light, ment to leaue vs in destructiō, by reasō of ye feare that he had cōceiued. Now, this wil neuer agrée wt yt which we haue said: & especially, ye loue which he hath shewed vs should be greatly darkened. But we néed not to enter into such subtill disputations: Bicause we know that a passiō, oftētimes so taketh away ye mind of a man, as that he thinketh