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…

Here in this place David considereth of the judgements of God, which he executeth upon the wicked: howbeit we are not always able to perceive them. For we shall oftentimes see (as it were against all Gods forbod, as we say) the wicked to bear authority, and in such sort to triumph, as that they think it cannot be possibly amended, ⟨p. 128⟩and suppose them selves to be the most blessed people in the world. And then for the while we shall see all things go clean against the hair. But after that the Lord God shall long time patiently have abidden all these abusers of his merciful loving kindness: it cannot be chosen but that at the last he must utterly destroy them. And so let us consider not too be so blockish as too forget the judgements of God: but let them rather instruct us after the example of David, to walk in his fear and to love his Commandments.

Heere in this place Dauid considereth of the iudgementes of God, which hee executeth vpon the wicked: howbeit we are not alwayes able to perceiue them. For we shall oftentimes see (as it were against all Gods forbod, as wee say) the wicked to beare aucthoritie, and in such sorte to triumph, as that they think it cannot be possibly amended, ⟨p. 128⟩and suppose them selues to be the most blessed people in the worlde. And then for the while we shall see all things goe cleane against the haire. But after that the Lorde God shall long time paciently haue abidden all these abusers of his mercifull louing kindenesse: it cannot bee chosen but that at the last hee must vtterly destroy them. And so let vs consider not too be so blockish as too forget the iudgements of God: but let them rather instructe vs after the example of Dauid, to walke in his feare and to loue his Commaundementes.

Now he say thin the first place: Thou haste trodden the ungodly under foot, and all them that depart from thy statutes, for they imagine but deceit, saith he. He addeth one reason, which we ought throughly too weigh: For what is the cause that the ungodly hearken not unto God, & so outrage against him beyond all measure: For if at any time GOD moveth them too repentance, through the admonitions of his word, they do nothing else but scoff and laugh at him: yea they are so shameless, as it is pitiful too see? What is the cause of this? It is because the wicked have their hearts fast shut up in their back warehouses, thinking thereby to beguile GOD, too escape his hand through their starting holes, and subtle devises, and they seeing them selves too be brazen faced, to cover their villainies before men, think that they shall easily enough put of the plagues and punishments of God.