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…

Howe then shall we use the graces of God as we ought? When we shall be alway confirmed more and more in the saith, when we can despise all temptations, when we can resolve our selves, that in calling upon God, we ought in no wise to fear the loss of our labour, for as much as our hope shall never be confounded.

Howe then shall we vse the graces of God as we oughte? When we shall be alwaye confyrmed more and more in the saythe, when we canne dyspyse all temptations, when we canne resolue oure selues, that in callynge vpon God, we oughte in no wyse to feare the losse of oure laboure, for as muche as oure hope shall neuer be confounded.

When then we shall be well satisfied in this •o as we may fight against Satan, to beat back all temptations, behold how we may wisely apply the benefits of God to our own use, and how we may take profit of them: Lo in a sum what we have bear to learn.

When then we shall be well satisfyed in thys •o as we maye fyghte agaynste Sathan, to beate backe all temptations, beholde howe we maye wyselye applye the benefytes of God to oure own vse, and howe wee maye take profyte of theym: Loe in a summe what wee haue beare to learne.

Moreover, when he speaketh how fathers ought to behave them selves toward their children we have to gather in general (as hath been said here before) that it is not enough that we procure that god be glorified during our life, but we ought to desire as his name is immortal so that from age to age it may be honoured, & that those which shall come after us, may keep the pure religion, & that the service of God may never fall in decay. That it may be followed and advanced alway and that the goodness of God may be every where magnified. They that have children, let them know that God hath committed them in charge to them, & that they must render an account if they bestow not all travail to teach them to serve God. For when it is said that the father shall show to his children the truth of god, we must alway come to this end. Why? to this end that the children may trust in him, that they may call upon him, that they may give to him the praise of all good things, that they may dedicate & consecrate them selves wholly to him, & to his obedience. Then if fathers will discharge, them selves of their duties, let them know that this is the principal heritage that they ought to leave to their children. But if they heap up goods & yet give them the bridle when they shall see them dissolute, mischievous, wicked despisers of God. Woe be to them in that they shall take pain to advance them in this world: for they lift them up very high to make them break their necks, & their fall shall be more deadly when they shall have store of goods: and yet in the mean time they shall despise God in his doctrine, there confusion shall be more