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…

Mark here the third reason which David allegeth to obtain of God, that he might be taught in his law. O Lord (saith he) make me to understand the way of thy commandments, and so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. As if he should have said, O Lord, if it be thy good pleasure instruct me according to thy will, and it shall not serve for my self only: but also for my neighbours: for I will endeavour my self to bring also others unto thee. And thus we ought to use the graces and gifts of God: to wit, that they be not as it were buried in us, but that we may also profit our neighbours: and to communicate them unto such, as they may do good unto, to the end that God may be honoured, and that they all may serve to the common salvation of the members, of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Marke heere the thirde reason which Dauid alledgeth to obtaine of God, that he might bee taught in his lawe. O Lorde (saith he) make me to vnderstande the way of thy commaundementes, and so shall I talke of thy woondrous woorkes. As if hee should haue sayd, O Lorde, if it be thy good pleasure instruct me according to thy will, and it shall not serue for my selfe onely: but also for my neighbours: for I will indeuour my selfe to bring also others vnto thee. And thus we ought to vse the graces and giftes of God: to wit, that they be not as it were buryed in vs, but that wee may also profite our neighbours: and to communicate them vnto such, as they may doe good vnto, to the ende that God may be honoured, and that they all may serue to the common saluation of the members, of our Lord Iesus Christ.

But here we have in this Text too note, that it is impossible for us to instruct others, except we have been before the disciples and Scholars of God. There area great many which will put forth them selves, as if they were ⟨p. 31⟩sufficient and able Clerks enough too teach others: And in so thrusting in them selves, they have not once known what they ought to understand, either for themselves or yet for any others. Let us then consider the order which is here observed: to wit, that every of us do acknowledge our own ignorance. David was a most excellent Prophet, and yet notwithstanding he besought God that he would make him too understand the way of his commandments. Yea, but had not he the Law written? Wherefore then desired he that which he had already in his hands? For he knew well enough that to read, to preach, and to hear, was not all that was needful: For unless God open our ears, we shall never be able to understand it. And therefore it behoveth that he enlighten us, or else we shall never be able to see the brightness thereof, albeit it lye wide open before our eyes. If David made this request (as we have already heretofore entreated) I beseech you what shall we do then? Let us then even so confess our ignorance, and beseech God that it would please him to teach us. See now that we must needs be first scholars: before we usurp the office of a Master: and before we thrust our selves in, too speak unto others, that we hear God first speak unto us, and that we be grounded in his word, that we may protest as Saint Peter telleth us,