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…

We see then now what the sum and effect of this is, which is here showed unto us: to wit, that there is but one only mean too cause us to be constant and patient, when as we are afflicted, and that our adversities do ever long last as we imagine: that is, too be mindful of the ⟨p. 90⟩promises of God, and to have them deeply imprinted in our hearts. For if that be so, it will not cost us much to be patient: and although it be an hard matter, yet we shall at the last come too the end of it. Let us then now mark, from whence our impatience springeth, and what the reason is why we are so oftentimes overcome with temptations: or else, when as we shall have for a time resisted them, yet in the end we are confounded and fainthearted. Truly, it is because we forget the testimonies of GOD, and turn away from his word. In very deed, this at the first sight may seem too be a common matter with us. And to say the truth, every man will say, that we ought to remember them, and that it is the only remedy too comfort us. But we shall the oftener do it, when as we shall have learned this lesson which is here set down unto us, and that we record it all the days of our life: For this is one of the principallest points that is too be required in all Christians, that when they perceive that God hath laid his hand on them, that they be as it were almost cast down: yet that they might comfort themselves, in staying of the promises of salvation which God hath promised them. But yet, let us throughly consider the word which David here useth: I have longed (sayeth he) after the salvation, and I have hoped, or after that I had hoped, because of thy word.

We see then nowe what the summe and effect of this is, which is here shewed vnto vs: to wit, that there is but one onely meane too cause vs to bee constant and pacient, when as we are afflicted, and that our aduersities doe euer long last as wee imagine: that is, too bee mindefull of the ⟨p. 90⟩promises of God, and to haue them depely imprinted in our hartes. For if that bee so, it wil not cost vs much to be patient: and although it bee an harde matter, yet wee shall at the last come too the ende of it. Let vs then now marke, from whence our impatience springeth, and what the reason is why wee are so oftentimes ouercome with temptations: or else, when as wee shal haue for a tyme resisted them, yet in the ende wee are confounded and faintharted. Truely, it is bicause wee forget the testimonies of GOD, and turne away from his woorde. In very deede, this at the first sight may seeme too bee a common matter with vs. And to say the truthe, euery man wil say, that we ought to remember them, and that it is the onely remedy too comforte vs. But wee shal the oftener doo it, when as wee shal haue learned this lesson which is heere set downe vntoo vs, and that wee recorde it al the dayes of our life: For this is one of the principallest pointes that is too bee required in al Christians, that when they perceiue that God hath laide his hand on them, that they bee as it were almost cast downe: yet that they might comfort themselues, in staying of the promises of saluation which God hath promised them. But yet, let vs throughly consider the worde which Dauid here vseth: I haue longed (sayeth hee) after the saluation, and I haue hoped, or after that I had hoped, bicause of thy woorde.