A17716:113
Sermons of John Calvin, upon the song that Hezekiah made after he had been…Sermons of Iohn Caluin, vpon the songe that Ezechias made after he had bene…
Sermons of John Calvin, upon the song that Hezekiah made after he had been sick and afflicted by the hand of God, contained in the 38. chapter of Isaiah. Translated out of French into English. 1560.Sermons of Iohn Caluin, vpon the songe that Ezechias made after he had bene sicke and afflicted by the hand of God, conteyned in the 38. chapiter of Esay. Translated out of Frenche into Englishe. 1560.
London: printed by John Day, 1560London: printed by Iohn Day, 1560
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
IT is certain that if our life were ordered as it ought to be, we should alway shoot at this principal mark, to honour God so long as we be in this world. And good reason it is that we apply all our study thereunto seeing that without end and cessing we prove the gracious good deeds that he doth us. For this cause now Hezekiah after that he hath knowledged that god prolonged his life, and hath given him a proof to witness his singular love toward him, saith that with so much more courage he will magnify the name of ⟨p. 57⟩God to confess the receipt of so great a benefit. And expressly he saith that this shall not only be while he is in the world that he will travail to have the name of God blessed, but he will endeavour also for his successors that it may for ever be known how God hath wrought for him. Finally for conclusion he saith that there is no saviour but God: and if men rest them selves upon him their salvation shall be certain and infallible.
IT is certaine that if our lyfe were ordered as it ought to be, we shoulde alway shoote at this principall marke, to honour God so longe as we be in this worlde. And good reason it is yt we applie all our studie therunto seing that without ende and cessing we proue the gracious good dedes that he doth vs. For this cause nowe Ezechias after that he hath knowledged that god prolonged his life, and hath geuen him a profe to witnesse his singular loue toward him, sayth yt with so muche more courage he wil magnifie the name of ⟨p. 57⟩God to cōfesse the receit of so great a benefit. And expresly he sayth that this shall not only be whyle he is in the worlde that he will trauayle to haue the name of God blessed, but he wil endeuour also for his successours that it may for euer be knowē howe God hath wrought for him. Finally for cō clusion he saith that there is no sauiour but God: and if men rest them selues vpon hym their saluation shalbe certain and infallible.
But it may seem strange that he sayeth that the death nor yet the grave shall not be to praise god, for it seemeth that he accounted upon and knoweth no other goodness of God but when he preserveth men in this frail life. In deed if we look not but here below, our faith shall be but weak. And we know that we live to no other purpose but to taste in part the goodness of God, to the end we may be drawn by here and altogether ravished to the heavenly life. It seemeth then that Hezekiah is to much given to the world, and that he hath no conceiving of the spiritual kingdom of God. For in saying that the grave can not praise God, nor they that be dead, it seemeth that he hath no other regard but to this present life. And we know that it is said in the first place, that God will be glorified as well in our death as in our life. And S. Paul for the same cause sayeth, that he careth not whether he live or die, so the glory of God might be alway advanced. There appeareth to be great diversity between S. Paul and Hezekiah, for the one fleeth and abhorreth death, alleging that those which are departed shall not praise God, the other saith it is to me all one whether I live or dye, for God shall alway be glorified