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…

So that this which is said here. The dead shall not praise God, may not be drawn of us •or a consequent proof, to plead with God when it shall please him to call us unto him. Let us not make this excuse under pretext of Hezekiah, or David who spake so in the vi. Psalm, or of all the people as we shall allege. For there was excess, because as well David as Hezekiah, and generally all the Church then when a horrible dissipation was near tempted as if god would reject them, and utterly disclaim in them, and would have no more to do with them. As they then were pulled back from God, so were they abashed. And no marvel. Let us not therefore make thereof a rule, as if we might do the like: but let it serve to make us know our own weakness. Moreover although God do support us, yet let us not please our selves in such a vice. Lo this it is that we have to learn.

So that this which is sayd here. The dead shall not prayse God, may not be drawen of vs •or a cō sequent profe, to pleade wyth God when it shall please him to call vs vnto him. Let vs not make this excuse vnder pretext of Ezechias, or Dauid who spake so in the vi. Psalme, or of all the people as we shall aledge. For there was excesse, bycause as well Dauid as Ezechias, and generally al the Churche then when a horrible dissipation was neare tempted as if god wold reiect them, and vtterly disclaime in them, and woulde haue no more to do with them. As they then were pulled backe from God, so were they abasshed. And no maruell. Let vs not therfore make therof a rule, as if we might do the like: but let it serue to make vs knowe our own weakenes. Moreouer although God do support vs, yet let vs not please our selues in suche a vyce. Loe this it is that we haue to learne.

Now we are taught for as much as God hath made us to feel his graces, to have our hearts set at large, and our mouths opened to bless his name. And on the other side that we can not pronounce one word to his praise, which proceedeth from a good hearty affection, except we be throughly persuaded in this, that God is merciful unto us, & that we use to our profit the benefits which we receive of his hand.