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…

Lo here a very hard and grievous temptation. And the second is, that it should seem that God doth not his office, How is that? Behold how the ungodly fall out with him so that it seemeth they would give him open defiance. For is not this to make war against him, when as they give them selves licence to do wickedly: that whatsoever can be said unto them, they can never be brought too goodness? And yet God maketh semblance as though he had no care of their wicked dealing. These we see are two marvellous dangerous temptations. And this is the cause namely why David hath here recited his persecutions, which he abode at the hands of the wicked.

Loe heere a very hard and greeuous temptation. And the second is, that it should seeme that God doth not his office, How is that? Beholde how the vngodly fall out with him so that it seemeth they would giue him open defiaunce. For is not this to make warre against him, when as they giue them selues licence to doe wickedly: that whatsoeuer can besayd vnto them, they can neuer bee brought too goodnesse? And yet God maketh semblaunce as though he had no care of their wicked dealing. These we see are two maruelous daungerous temptations. And this is the cause namely why Dauid hath heere recited his persecutions, which he abode at the handes of the wicked.

Now it is so, that he being in such conflicts, having to fight against these two temptations, which I have noted, showeth right well that he remained still conqueror. And see why he saith, How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou be avenged of them that persecute me? David signifieth that he made not this request until such time as he was driven too this extremity, that he was no longer able to abide it. As if he should have said, Alas, my good God, wilt thou help me after I am dead? For thou seest that I have already abidden so much, as it is not possible to endure more: thou seest me even at the graves brink: It is now time, or else never to help. But yet I perceive no succour coming from thee. And what is the cause? When wilt thou do it? It cannot be chosen but that David had as it were an intolerable affliction, when he called upon God in this manner. Wherefore we are so much the rather to meditate on this place. For although God suffereth us to be afflicted but for a little while: yet the same lasteth so with us, as that we being vexed even to the uttermost, will say, I know not where I am, nor what to do herein. What is the cause why God deferreth his aid so long? For in stead too call upon him, it is out of doubt rather that we murmur, yea and moyte as it were secretly against him. Now the right remedy to overcome these temptations, & not so to murmur against God in our afflictions, is this, to call upon him