The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the…The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the…

True it is, that there are so many miseries in our life, that it were much better for us never too have bin borne, than too linger (continually) as we do. Therefore if a man consider how wretched our life is in it self, and too what a number ⟨p. 309⟩of griefs, anguishes, pains, and vexations it is subject: surely he will say, it were better never too have come out of our mothers womb, than to enter into such a sea of confusion as we see upon earth. Nevertheless when all cometh to all, we shall find that Gods goodness exceedeth all the chastisements that he sendeth us for our sins. This life should of it self be nothing but happiness and rest, if God made us us not to reap the fruit of our sins & transgressions. Yet notwithstanding when as God doth now and then afflict us with some barrenness, or kill our vines with frost, or drown our Corn with wet, or parch it up with drought, and (too be short) send us famine and dearth: they be as a rod of God, too show us that in stead of his former liberality, he is now become contrary to us. Likewise are the plague, war, particular diseases and sicknesses, harms, reproaches, and all other such things as work us grief or displeasure. They are all chastisements whereby God putteth us in mind of our sins and faults, of purpose too humble us that we might know what we be, and finally too make us ready too forsake the world the more willingly. Howbeit, when we have gathered all the afflictions, troubles, and griefs that we see, into one heap: yet see we well (as I said afore) that God maketh us too feel the taste and savour of his goodness, in that he giveth us sustenance in this world. And this present life is ever as a record of his love. For proof whereof, we should quail at every temptation, & at every vexation that might befall us in this world, were it never so little, if God gave us not some cheering to mitigate his rigour withal. For he doth always show such event, as may cause us to conceive that he mindeth not to handle us according to our deserts, but that in his chastising of us, he leaveth always room for his mercy,¹ as he himself sayeth in Habakkuk. Not without cause then doth God promise prosperity in this life, to such as obey their fathers & mothers.

Trew it is, that there are so many myseries in our lyfe, that it were much better for vs neuer too haue bin borne, than too linger (continually) as wee doo. Therefore if a man consider how wretched our lyfe is in it self, and too what a number