Two and twenty sermons of Master John Calvin In which sermons is most religiously…Two and twentie sermons of Maister Iohn Caluin In which sermons is most religiously…

And this benefit which we receive by the knowledge hereof is inestimable: to wit, that we may walk at liberty, That is to say, that we are delivered from many doubts and griefs: that we cannot be utterly overthrown and caste down, although we happen to be pressed with some griefs: because we always conclude thus, that we cannot be overcome, seeing God holdeth us with a mighty and strong hand. And in very deed what is the cause, I pray you, that men are so oftentimes tormented, but only that they submit not them selves unto God? It is very true, that there are very few which know this, but this is the very cause: For when as we shall have looked somewhat nearer the matter, we shall find that nothing so much hath hindered us, as our own unthankfulness: But because we will be overwise, in not yielding unto God the honour to govern us, & wholly to rule our life, ne yet become his subjects, it is meet we should receive the hire due for the same. For men when any thing is in question that they have to do, will straight ways enter into their own speculations, they never make question to have recourse unto God, nor to call upon him, but every man will do what seemeth best to himself. And therefore it is meet that God pay us in such money as we deserved, that he put us, I say, in such doubt as that ⟨p. 51⟩we shall never be able to know what shall become of us, so that the anguishes shall force us too say, What shall become of this matters? Which way shall I begin? And what shall be the end and issue hereof?

And this benefite which wee receiue by the knowledge heereof is inestimable: to wit, that we may walke at liberty, That is to say, that wee are deliuered from many doubtes and griefes: that we cannot bee vtterly ouerthrowne and caste downe, although we happen to be pressed with some griefes: because we alwayes conclude thus, that wee cannot bee ouercome, seeing God holdeth vs with a mightie and stronge hande. And in very deede what is the cause, I pray you, that men are so oftentimes tormented, but only that they submit not them selues vnto God? It is very true, that there are very fewe which knowe this, but this is the very cause: For when as wee shall haue looked somewhat neerer the matter, wee shall find that nothing so much hath hindred vs, as our owne vnthankfulness: But because we wil be ouerwise, in not yeelding vnto God the honor to gouerne vs, & wholy to rule our life, ne yet become his subiects, it is meet we should receiue the hier due for the same. For men whē any thing is in question that they haue to do, wil straight wayes enter into their owne speculations, they neuer make question to haue recourse vnto God, nor to cal vpon him, but euery man wil doe what semeth best to himself. And therfore it is meete that God pay vs in such mony as we deserued, that he put vs, I say, in such doubt as that