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…

This is the whole sum, that David (although he exceedingly profited in the law and word of God) acknowledged that he was subject and apt to be carried away and abused: that the devil might sundry ways beguile and deceive him: that he might be seduced through many temptations: allured by the lusts of the flesh: and oftentimes fall, were it not that God did take from him the way of lying. Lo here a point which we ought thoroughly too mark, O Lord, saith he, take from me the way of lying. It is spoken to this end, that every of us might know our own want: to wit, that we should enter into our selves, and meditate after this manner. Go to now, I am as a poor, wretched, and so frail a creature as is possible: my faith so very weak, and the lusts of my flesh so strong, as that they might have suddenly oppressed me. Alas my God, sithens I ⟨image 38⟩am so weak and feeble, I must needs be assisted by thee and by thy power and might. And again how many are our enemies which molest and grieve us? how mighty and strong is the Devil? How great and infinite are the means wherewith he assaileth us? and when he shall assail us with his Darts and arrows, it is impossible for us too escape them, we shall become then like unto the Lamb in the throat of the Lyon. When we shall thus have understood these our wants and needs, then may we say with David, O Lard take from me the way of lying. Now he showeth the remedy when he saith: Cause me to make much of thy Law, or grant me thy grace that I may keep thy law: For the word which David useth, importeth mere favour and free gift: As if the should have said, it cometh of thy mere favour and grace, that thou givest me thy law.

This is the whole summe, that Dauid (although he exceedingly profited in the lawe and word of God) acknowledged that he was subiect and apt to be carryed away and abused: that the deuill might sundry wayes beguile and deceaue him: that hee might bee seduced through many temptations: allured by the lustes of the fleshe: and oftentimes fall, were it not that God did take from him the way of lying. Loe heere a poynte which we ought thorowly too mark, O Lord, saith he, take from me the way of lying. It is spoken to this ende, that euery of vs might knowe our owne wante: to wit, that we should enter into our selues, and meditate after this manner. Goe to now, I am as a poore, wretched, and so fraile a creature as is possible: my faith so very weake, and the lustes of my fleshe so stronge, as that they might haue sudenly oppressed me. Alas my God, sithens I