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…

After this manner doth God proceed with us, too draw us too him, as though he did (as ye would say) half flatter us. And on the other side, because he sees us cold, and that we abuzz his patience, and are not touched too the quick with his grace when he uttereth it, but follow still our own lusts: he threateneth us like a father who perceiving his child too be unruly, and not of so free disposition as too be won at the first: (sayeth thus unto him:) Wottest thou what? Though I have cockered thee and suffered much at thy hand, yet must thou behave thy self otherwise, and play the good child towards me, or else go too the devil. If thou wilt needs continue still in thy naughtiness, get thee too the gallows: for I am not a father that will suffer my self too be so mocked without redressing of it. After this manner will a father endeavour too keep his child in his good favour if it be possible: but if he see that it boot not, he falleth too threatening and chiding of him, and all too break that stubborn hart of his, if he can. Even so dealeth God with us: and therein we see what care he hath of our welfare, as I said afore.

After this maner dooth God proceede with vs, too drawe vs too him, as though he did (as yee would say) half flatter vs. And on the other syde, bycause he sees vs cold, and that wee abuze his pacience, and are not touched too the quicke with his grace when he vttereth it, but followe still our owne lusts: he threateneth vs lyke a father who perceyuing his chyld too bee vnruly, and not of so free disposition as too bee wonne at the first: (sayeth thus vntoo him:) Wotest thou what? Though I haue cockered thee and suffered much at thy hand, yit must thou behaue thy self otherwyse, and play the good chyld towards mee, or else go too the diuell. If thou wilt needs continew still in thy naughtinesse, get thee too the gallows: for I am not a father that will suffer my self too bee so mocked without redressing of it. After this maner will a father indeuer too keepe his chyld in his good fauour if it bee possible: but if he see that it boote not, he falleth too threatening and chyding of him, and all too breake that stubborne hart of his, if he can. Euen so dealeth God with vs: and therin wee see what care he hath of our welfare, as I sayd afore.