Thirteen sermons of Master John Calvin, entreating of the free election of God in…Thirteene sermons of Maister Iohn Caluine, entreating of the free election of God in…

When there are Rivers, Welles and fountains in any high way: why should they be taken away from those that are the creatures of God? But howsoever it be, yet it fell out that our fathers were brought to such extremity. And this (as I have already touched) serveth to this purpose that we should learn to be patient, not only to suffer some one little injury, or two or three: but that in all respects we should be so meek and soft natured: that if it were in a matter of life and death (as they say) we put our hope in God, that he will show himself pitiful towards us. And therefore let us not double our evil, let us not make of one devil two, when the wicked and ungodly persecute us unjustly: but let us labour to soften their hearts, and to assuage the malice which they use against us. If we do so, it is certain, that howsoever we be for a time in extreme anguish, yet in the end God will so enlarge us, that we shall have good cause to bless his holy name with full mouth.

When there are Riuers, Welles and fountaines in any high way: why shoulde they be taken away from those that are the creatures of God? But howsoeuer it bee, yet it fell out that our fathers were brought to such extremitie. And this (as I haue already touched) serueth to this purpose that wee should learne to be patient, not onely to suffer some one little iniurie, or twoo or three: but that in all respectes we shoulde bee so meeke and softe natured: that if it were in a matter of life and death (as they say) we put our hope in God, that he wil shew himself pitiful towards vs. And therefore let vs not double our euil, let vs not make of one deuil two, when the wicked and vngodly persecute vs vniustly: but let vs labour to soften their heartes, and to asswage the malice which they vse against vs. If we doe so, it is certaine, that howsoeuer we be for a time in extreme anguish, yet in the ende God will so inlarge vs, that wee shall haue good cause to blesse his holye name with full mouth.

their dwelling, they must be flitting and have no resting place, unless they be lodged from day to day (as it were) by the hand of GOD, and in the mean season, that they prepare themselves to wander & go from place to place, after the example of their fathers, who learned by experience not too have their inheritance here beneath upon earth, & confessed them selves to be Pilgrims, as we shall see hereafter that Jacob answered Pharaoh. In the mean time we may see also the malice of all those near neighbours thereabouts: For the Welles especially, which Abraham had bought, were taken from him after his death, to the end that his successors and Children might have no use of them. But it is said that Isaac yet digged a Well there: for he could not be without water, both for the family he had, which was great, as for his Cattle: but he went very far to seek water, until GOD restored him too that which was wrongfully taken from him. He dwelleth therefore in Beer-scheba for a time without water, unless he borrow or buy it: but afterwards he findeth his Well again, and so is at some better ease then before, and God suffereth them not that would as it were have made them to dye of thirst to use their malice and to come to their purpose. But howsoever it be, God heard him not at the first dash We have then to learn here, that which was touched yesterday: that is, that we learn to endure need, yea in the need of water, & that we think it not strange which our fathers