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 if the word of God bringeth us out of the grave, quickeneth us in death, & preserveth our health, notwithstanding that it seemeth to be swallowed up in the gulf, do we not see a good proof given us from God, how firm & sound it is? So then, let us well consider (as we have already said) that since we have known the power of the word of God, to be such as it is here showed us, we may in such sort resist all the greatest temptations which the devil is able craftily to work against us, so that we shall be able to escape as it were both from death and the grave. And thus much for this.

Now if the worde of God bringeth vs out of the graue, quickeneth vs in death, & preserueth our health, notwithstanding that it seemeth to be swallowed vp in the gulfe, do we not see a good proufe giuen vs from God, how firme & sound it is? So then, let vs well consider (as we haue already said) that since we haue knowen the power of the worde of God, to be such as it is here shewed vs, wee may in such sort resist all the greatest temptations which the deuill is able craftely to worke against vs, so that we shalbe able to escape as it were both from death and the graue. And thus much for this.

Now for the second point, David showeth us how it is that we are preserved in all our afflictions by the word of God, how our life shall be safe, & our health assured thereby. And that is, if we delight therein: to wit, that we be so ⟨image 109⟩comforted with the love which GOD there showeth us and wherewith he certifieth us, that since he hath adopted us for his children, he will therefore always show him self to be our father. Wherefore we may boldly recommend our souls unto him, and he will receive them, so that we shall not perish, having all our refuge so unto him. If we then content our selves so, the word of God will give us life in the middest of an hundred thousand deaths. But if we hear it without having any such affection, that we taste not of the promises of God, or else that we always somewhat distrust and doubt, to reason how it goeth, and afterward wander after creatures, or else build upon our selves, if we be so changeable, we shall never feel any virtue of the word of GOD, but may be overthrown an hundred times: the lead affliction in the world, shall be as a gulf to swallow us up: that we shall not need the main sea: but even a finger depth of water too smother and drown us, if it were not that we had learned of David, to be assured of the love which God beareth us: and that by his word.