Four sermons of Master John Calvin entreating of matters very profitable for our time,…Foure sermons of Maister Iohn Caluin entreating of matters very profitable for our time,…

By speaking of one thing alone, he signifieth that he was so mightily given unto it, that he cast all other things behind his back as if he had quite forgotten them. Was it so that he enjoyed all his other desires, in such sort that there was nothing but this thing that failed him? Contrariwise he was a fugitive from the land of his birth, yea banished from the house of his father, and from the company of his Parents and friends: he was spoiled of all his goods, and deprived of all his dignities & honours which were very great, his wife was ravished: to be short, lo a man altogether desolate & quite forsaken. Nevertheless he lamenteth nothing but this one thing, that is to say, to have access to the Temple, as also on the contrary part, when he giveth thanks unto God, for all the benefits which he had bestowed upon him, after he had made mention of drinking and eating, of rest and other commodities of the body: he setteth down for conclusion that he will dwell in the church of God: whereby he protesteth that being at his ease and in all pleasure, notwithstanding he accounteth nothing more precious then to be in the company of the faithful,¹ to be lead unto that same sovereign happiness. Let us then diligently mark that David aswell in his afflictions as in his prosperities, had always this same courage to rejoice himself in this liberty that God had given unto the children of Israel: which cannot be accounted any small virtue. We shall find many who being oppressed with adversities and afflictions, do remember God gladly: but as soon as they are delivered from them, & that they ⟨image 38⟩find their ease, then they cast of all remembrance of him: yea, & which is most shameful they kick and fling against him, as resty Jades that are to well •ed. Others so vex themselves & rage against god in their adversity, that they cannot abide to hear any speech of him. Was not David thrown down with such an heap of miseries, that he seemed the most miserable creature in the world? And yet is he so far of from being wounded with the grief of his mind to vex himself, & disdain when god speaketh unto him, that contrariwise it is the only way whereby he is comforted:

By speaking of one thinge alone, he signifieth that he was so mightily giuē vnto it, that he cast al other things behinde his back as if he had quite forgotten thē. Was it so that hee inioyed all his other desires, in such sorte that there was nothing but this thing that fayled him? Contrarywise he was a fugitiue from the land of his birth, yea banished from the house of his father, and from the companie of his Parents and friendes: he was spoyled of al his goods, and depriued of all his dignities & honours which were very great, his wife was rauished: to bee short, loe a man altogither desolate & quite forsaken. Neuertheles he lamenteth nothing but this one thing, that is to say, to haue accesse to the Temple, as also on the contrary parte, when he giueth thanks vnto God, for al the benefits which he had bestowed vpon him, after he had made mention of drinking and eating, of rest and other commodyties of the body: hee setteth downe for conclusion that he wil dwell in the church of God: whereby he protesteth that beeing at his ease and in all pleasure, notwithstanding he accounteth nothing more pretious then to be in the company of the faithfull,