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…

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,¹ that it is the word of GOD which cometh out of our mouths. Who soever speaketh, (sayeth he) let him speak the word of God. For it is rid reason that a mortal man should extol him self, and prefer his own dreams and fantasies. And although that this sacrilege be over-common in the world, it behoveth us too have great regard thereto: & that we all keep silence, & that both great and small, ignorant and wise, the simple and learned, give ear to the word of God, & suffer them selves to be taught by him: and after that, every man according to those graces which he hath received, to communicate them unto his neighbours.

But heere we haue in this Texte too note, that it is impossible for vs to instruct others, except we haue beene before the disciples and Scholers of God. There area greate many which will put foorth them selues, as if they were