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…

when all his goods were taken away, partly by robbers, and partly by lightening that fell from heaven: and when he was so miserable, as it seemed that Lice should eat him up, he ceased not too ⟨p. 274⟩say, The Lord hath given, the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord. So then, Saint Paul showeth us, that even in our sorrows, and when we receive chastisements that are rough and bitter too us, yet let us not grudge against God, but rather persevere in praising his name,¹ as he exhorteth us in another place, (where he sayeth) that in praying too him we must always praise him. Although we have not the things that we crave,² and that in our petitions we show our selves too want this and that, and are pinched with grief and care: yet must thanksgiving be mingled still with our prayers. There are a great number that pray unto God: but yet they do but provoke Gods wrath, because they intermingle their grudgings and repinings, g•ashing their teeth at him. They will in deed say, My God, help me. But which is that God? If they could pluck him out of heaven, they would do it with all their hart, too the end he might have no more power over them. Ye see then that a number thinking too pray unto God, do but provoke him to wrath, because their requests are full of pride, spitefulness, and defiance. And therefore Saint Paul telleth us too the Philippians,³ that all our petitions and requests must be matched with thanksgiving, too show that we do patiently abide too be governed by the hand of God. Likewise in this text he sayeth, that we must thank God for all things, not only when we be in prosperity, and all things fall out as we would wish, so as God giveth us our hearts desire, and we live in delight and pleasure: that is not the only fit time and season too yield praise unto God: but although he scourge us, yet must we acknowledge that he procureth our salvation (and welfare) by that mean. Let us see then, if we have not cause to bliss God in all our adversities? Yes: For first, whatsoever betide us, he beareth with us: insomuch that if he should touch us but with one of his fingers in good earnest: we should be overwhelmed at the first blow. Seeing then, that we hold out, it is a token that he spareth us: and have not we cause too thank him for it?