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…

A man, I say, shall never be disposed to obey God, and to glorify him in afflictions, except he have a taste of the bounty, and fatherly love, which he beareth us. Now how can it be that we should be fully persuaded that God loveth us, and procureth our wealth and health, when as he afflicteth us, without we be armed with his promises? For it is impossible for us to know the truth of God, except he declare the same unto us in his word. Let us learn then, as I have already said, that the patience of the faithful can not be built, but upon faith and hope in the promises of God. Lo then what we have to note in this place.

A man, I say, shall neuer be disposed to obey God, and to glorifie him in afflictions, except hee haue a taste of the bountie, and fatherly loue, which he beareth vs. Now how can it be that wee should bee fully persuaded that God loueth vs, and procureth our wealth and health, when as he afflicteth vs, without we be armed with his promises? For it is impossible for vs to knowe the truth of God, except he declare the same vnto vs in his word. Let vs learne then, as I haue already said, that the pacience of the faithfull can not be built, but vpon faith and hope in the promises of God. Loe then what we haue to note in this place.

Now David having laid such a foundation, buildeth thereon, saying, that his soul longed after the salvation of God: when he sayeth that his soul longed, he meaneth not that he was so forlorn, as that he had in the end given him clean over: ne yet that Satan had gotten any advantage of him: but that word, to long, is taken in the scripture, for that which notwithstanding is conjoined with such obedience as we ought to yield unto God, staying and settling our selves upon him. As how? Saint Paul sayeth, That we ought to hope beyond all hope as Abraham did: to wit, we must surmount all our wits and imaginations, when there is any question of our belief in God. For if we will measure the promises of God by our own wits, what shall become of it? our faith then must exceed and go beyond all the wisdom of men, as here it is said, That his soul hath longed: which is as much as if David had said, it is true O Lord, that according to mans reason, I was utterly forlorn: yea I was so oppressed with miseries, as that I could bear no moe: but when I was in the midst of death, I ceased not for all that until I was arrived at a sure haven: to wit, thy aid and help. Now he namely speaketh of Gods succour, because it shall go very hard, but that we will wander, look above, and beneath, both before and behind, to see if we can find ready help.