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…

That was because he should be conversant no more among men, to exercise him self in the service of God. But now this is not without cause that in it also he conceived the wrath of God. Although he were subject to dwell as it were confusedly mingled among many rascals, as in deed there were many Hypocrites in Judah, and many wicked and dissolute persons mockers of God, and of his law. And among the Heathen there was nothing else but ungodliness, and rebellion. Now when Hezekiah saw that, I know now (sayeth he) that I am unworthy to dwell upon the earth, because these tarry still in the world, and God hath cut me of, yea with a strong hand, as if he would come armed to make open war against me as my enemy.

That was bicause he shoulde be conuersant no more amonge men, to exercise him selfe in the seruice of God. But nowe this is not without cause that in it also he conceyued the wrathe of God. Althoughe he were subiecte to dwell as it were confusely myngled amonge manye rascalles, as in dede there were many Hypocrits in Iuda, and many wicked and dissolute persons mockers of God, and of his law. And among the Heathen there was nothing els but vngodlines, and rebellion. Now when Ezechias saw that, I knowe nowe (sayeth he) that I am vnworthye to dwell vpon the earth, because these tarry styll in the world, and God hath cut me of, yea with a strong hand, as if he would come armed to make open warre against me as my enemye.

Then when Hezekiah had such imaginations, it is not to be marvelled though he made such complaints. But howsoever it were, all cometh to this end that God did persecute him. This same was to him a burden so heavy that he as it were faltered under it. So much the better ought we to note this doctrine, that if God at any time shall afflict us, more hardly than we would that he should, we should not cease for all that hear to acknowledge that he loveth us, and that this persuasion which we shall have of ⟨p. 23⟩his goodness should make us to overcome all temptations which otherwise might overthrow us.

Then when Ezechias had suche imaginations, it is not to be marueyled thoughe he made suche complaintes. But howsoeuer it were, all commeth to this end that God did persecute him. This same was to him a burden so heauy that he as it were foltred vnder it. So muche the better oughte we to note thys doctrine, that if God at any tyme shall afflict vs, more hardelye than we woulde that he should, we shoulde not cease for all that heare to acknowledge that he loueth vs, and that this perswasion which we shall haue of