A17716:61
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.
In which words Hezekiah showeth how horrible the displeasure of God is, for he meaneth that god need not devise this policy, or that, when he would be revenged on men: but if he speak the word, the thing shall forthwith be done. To be short he showeth here what the power of God is, on the one side, and what the frailty of man is on the other side. And that is to pull out of us all the foolish imaginations that we conceive, in making our selves believe that we may escape his hands. And we see how men draw back always: and although God handle them straitly, they think they may find some way how to flee from him. To be short, we thrust out time with our shoulders (as the proverb is) and promise our selves, leisure enough, and though the cord be strait, yet we conceive still some vain hope. And what is the cause thereof? that we have not respect to our frailty: for there is no minute of time, when death threateneth us not: And if we are now standing upright, at the turning of a hand, behold we are fallen. On the other side we are ignorant of the infinite power of God: For if he do but once lay his hand upon us, he need not do it the second time, it shall suffice that he only blow on us, and lo, we shall be brought to nothing. It is not without a cause that Hezekiah sayeth here, that from morning till night, he shall be brought to naught.
In which wordes Ezechias sheweth howe horrible the displeasure of God is, for he meaneth that god nede not deuise this policie, or that, whē he would be reuenged on mē: but if he speake the worde, the thinge shall forthwith be done. To be short he sheweth here what the power of God is, on the one side, and what the frailtie of man is on the other side. And that is to pull out of vs al the folish imaginations that we conceiue, in making our selues beleue that we may escape his handes. And wese howe men drawe backe alwaies: and although God handle them streighly, they think they may finde some way howe to flee from hym. To be shorte, we thrust out time with oure sholders (as the prouerbe is) and promise our selues, leysure enoughe, and thoughe the corde be straite, yet we conceiue still some vaine hope. And what is ye cause therof? that we haue not respect to our frailtie: for there is no minut of tyme, when deth threateneth vs not: And if we are now standing vpright, at the turning of a hande, behold we are fallen. On the other side we are ignoraunt of the infinite power of God: For if he do but once laye his hande vpon vs, he nede not do it the seconde time, it shall suffice that he onely blow on vs, and loe, we shall be broughte to nothinge. It is not without a cause that Ezechias sayeth here, that from morning tyll night, he shalbe brought to naught.