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 he acknowledgeth, that although he were already exercised in the law of God, and in his knowledge, and that although he were a Prophet to teach others, nevertheless, that he was yet subject to a number of wicked thoughts and imaginations which might always wickedly lead him from the right way, except God had held him with his mighty and strong hand. And this is a point which we ought here rightly to note: For we see how ⟨p. 33⟩men greatly abuse them selves. When any of us shall have had a good beginning, we straight ways think that we are at the highest: we never bethink us too pray any more to God, when as he hath showed us that favour too serve our turns: but if we have done any small deed, we by and by lift up our sails, and wonder at our great virtues. To be short, we think straightway that the Devil can win no more of us. This foolish arrogance causeth God to let us go astray, so that we fall mightily, yea that we break both arms and legs: and are in great hazard of breaking our necks. I speak not now of our natural body, but of the soul. Let us look upon David him self: For he it is that hath made proof hereof. It came too pass that he villainously and wickedly erred, when as he toke Bethsabe the wife of his subject Uriah, to play the whoremonger with her,¹ that he was the cause of so execrable a murder, yea & that of many: for he did as much as in him lay, to have the whole army of the Lord and all the people of Israel to be utterly overthrown. Lo then too too great negligence and security in David: and see also wherefore he saith, Alas my good God, I beseech thee so to guide me, that I may forsake the way of lyings.

Heere he acknowledgeth, that although hee were already exercysed in the lawe of God, and in his knowledge, and that although he were a Prophet to teach others, neuerthelesse, that he was yet subiect to a number of wicked thoughtes and imaginations which might alwayes wickedly leade him from the right way, except God had helde him with his mightie and strong hande. And this is a poynte which we ought heere rightly to note: For wee see howe ⟨p. 33⟩men greatly abuse them selues. When any of vs shall haue had a good beginning, we straight wayes thinke that wee are at the highest: we neuer bethinke vs too pray any more to God, when as he hath shewed vs that fauour too serue our turnes: but if we haue doone any small deede, wee by and by lift vp our sayles, and woonder at our great vertues. To be shorte, wee thinke straightway that the Deuill can winne no more of vs. This foolish arrogancie causeth God to let vs goe astray, so that wee fall mightily, yea that wee breake bothe armes and legges: and are in greate hazarde of breaking our neckes. I speake not now of our naturall body, but of the soule. Let vs looke vpon Dauid him selfe: For he it is that hath made proofe heereof. It came too passe that he villanously and wickedly erred, when as hee toke Bethsabe the wife of his subiect Vry, to play the whoremonger with her,