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 now we see, that when we beseech God to give us his law, to deliver us from temptations, to suffer us not too be deceived neither by Satan, nor the world, that we do it with such a true desire, as David showeth us here, in this place. For there are many which may say with their mouth, O Lord I would gladly resist all temptations. But what? They compound with the Devil, conspire with him too set them selves against God, flatter them selves in all their iniquities, and desire wholly to give themselves to all wickedness. Are not here I beseech you fair and proper petitions which we make with the mouth, when as the hart bendeth it self altogether to mischief, and iniquity. Is not this I pray you to mock God? what other thing else is it? Let us then learn to say with David, O Lord, I have chosen the way of trueth, and have stuck to thy testimonies. When he saith, that he hath chosen the way of trueth, he meaneth that he desired nothing else, but to follow that which was right and good, as God had showed it unto him. When he saith, that he cleaved to the testimonies of God, he declareth what trueth that is whereof he made mention: For men many times imagine unto them selves certain fantasy in their heads, and think the same to be the best & most sure foundation in the world, and that there is no other reason, trueth, nor wisdom, but that which they have conceived in their own brain. Let us now beware of that, and assure our selves that trueth self is enclosed within the word of God, & that that is it, which we must seek: And not to have us think that to be the trueth, which we in our own fantasies do judge too be good: but even then have we chosen the way of trueth, when as we shall stick to the testimonies of God, when we shall understand and know that it is he only which may lead us straight, and that we have done this honour unto his word, to be ruled thereby all the days of our life. Lo▪ how we should follow the way of trueth.

Heere now we see, that when we beseech God to giue vs his law, to deliuer vs from temptations, to suffer vs not too be deceiued neither by Satan, nor the world, that we doe it with such a true desire, as Dauid sheweth vs heere, in this place. For there are many which may say with their mouth, O Lord I would gladly resist all temtations. But what? They compound with the Deuil, conspire with him too set them selues against God, flatter them selues in all their iniquities, and desire wholy to giue themselues to all wickednes. Are not heere I beseech you faire and proper petitions which we make with the mouth, when as the hart bendeth it selfe altogither to mischiefe, and iniquitie. Is not this I pray you to mock God? what other thing else is it? Let vs then learne to say with Dauid, O Lord, I haue chosen the way of trueth, and haue sticken to thy testimonies. When he sayth, that hee hath chosen the way of trueth, hee meaneth that he desined nothing else, but to follow that which was right and good, as God had shewed it vnto him. When he saith, that he cleaued to the testimonyes of God, he declareth what trueth that is whereof he made mention: For men many times imagine vnto them selues certaine fantasie in their heads, and think the same to be the best & most sure foūdation in the world, and that there is no other reason, trueth, nor wisdome, but that which they haue conceiued in their owne braine. Let vs now beware of that, and assure our selues that trueth selfe is inclosed within the word of God, & that that is it, which we must seeke: And not to haue vs thinke that to bee the trueth, which wee in our owne fantasies doe iudge too bee good: but euen then haue wee chosen the way of trueth, when as we shall sticke to the testimonies of God, when we shall vnderstand and knowe that it is hee onely which may leade vs straight, and that we haue doone this honour unto his woorde, to be ruled thereby all the dayes of our life. Loe howe we shoulde followe the way of trueth.