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…

Now there is none other remedy to help this matter, but to have God to afflict us, for this is the only mean, by which he keepeth us in subjection and in awe, otherwise, if he leave us in rest and at quiet, it were unpossible but that our nature should stubbornly rebel against him. If we carry away this lesson well, we should never be so grieved with the afflictions which he layeth upon us as we are:but we should take another manner of consolation in all our miseries and adversities then we do: knowing that although they be bitter medicines unto us, yet that they shall turn to our health. Let us chose whether we will be like wild and mad beasts, straying from the way of salvation, yea even like very frantic men to lift up our selves against God, rather then to be chastised with his rods, and to be so conquered as that by the same mean he might order us to live in his obedience.

Nowe there is none other remedie to helpe this matter, but to haue God to afflict vs, for this is the only meane, by which he keepeth vs in subiection and in awe, otherwise, if he leaue vs in rest and at quiet, it were vnpossible but that our nature should stubburnly rebell against him. If wee carrie away this lesson well, wee should neuer be so grieued with the afflictions which he layeth vpon vs as wee are:but wee should take another maner of consolation in all our miseries and aduersities then wee doo: knowing that although they be bitter medicines vnto vs, yet that they shal turne to our health. Let vs chose whether wee will be like wilde and madde beastes, straying from the waye of saluation, yea euen like very frantique men to lifte vp our selues against God, rather then to bechastised with his roddes, and to be so cōquered as that by the same meane he might order vs to liue in his obedience.

Since then we be so profited through afflictions, as that the gain which we get thereby is not heavy and grievous to bear, let us comfort our selves therewith, attending the issue which God shall give unto us. Moreover, let us also have in memory, that we must not be incorrigible, after that God hath lift up his hand to chastise us, and hath rebated out foolish and inordinate appetites, neither moil and groyne as we are wonted, as if he did us great wrong: but let us suffer our selves to be chastised and afflicted after the example of David. Lo, the very savage and fierce beasts, yet for all that at last they may be made tame, when as a painful and industrious man shall take them in hand, which can tell how to rule them.