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…

The law of God may seem to be but a common thing, yea we our selves do see, that the proud men of this world contemn it as a thing too too common: But yet, as David hath before said, God hath set down unto us in his law wonderful secretes, which he here repeateth not in vain, that it must needs be that in receiving the spirit of God from heaven, he should be conducted, to the end to follow the commandments of God. Now he namely saith. That I will keep, yea that I will keep it with my whole hart. This is no superfluous repetition, when he sayeth, That I will keep, yea that I will keep it with my whole heart. For behold what it is that abuseth a great number of men, so that they cannot be reprehended by men, that their life is not so dissolute as that they may be pointed at, and be not brought to rebuke and shame: Lo these men be like little Angels. They make themselves believe, that they are more then just before God: they feel themselves guilty in nothing. For this cause then David having said that he will keep the law of God, declareth, that it is not so common a thing to do as we take it.

The law of God may seeme to be but a common thing, yea we our selues do see, that the proude men of this world contemne it as a thing too too common: But yet, as Dauid hath before said, God hath set downe vntoo vs in his lawe wonderful secretes, which hee heere repeteth not in vaine, that it must needes bee that in receiuing the spirite of God from heauen, hee shoulde bee conducted, to the ende to followe the commaundementes of God. Nowe he namely saith. That I will keepe, yea that I will keepe it with my whole hart. This is no superfluous repetition, when he saieth, That I wil keepe, yea that I wil keepe it with my whole harte. For beholde what it is that abuseth a great number of men, so that they cannot be reprehended by men, that their life is not so dissolute as that they may bee pointed at, and bee not brought to rebuke and shame: Loe these men bee lyke little Angelles. They make themselues belieue, that they are more then iust before God: they feele themselues guiltie in nothing. For this cause then Dauid hauing said that he wil kepe the lawe of God, declareth, that it is not so common a thing to doo as we take it.

And why so? For saith he, he must keep it with his whole heart. When he meaneth to show unto us what the good keeping of the law of GOD is, and such an observation as God requireth of us, it is not only meant that our feet and hands should be seen to be well ruled and compassed, that our sins and iniquities should be so apparent, as that they might be condemned in the sight of the world: this say I, is not all, as to use such an observation. But we must (saith David) keep the law of God with our whole heart. When as we shall be never so little affected or desirous thereto, it shall be a great deal more worth then all the substance in the world. But we must beware that we have not a double heart, that our desire be so cold and feeble, as to say, very well, I would gladly that God would bestow his grace upon me that I might follow his commandments: and thereupon, to show our selves weary and slothful: but we must have a true sincerity to walk therein with all fullness and integrity. But I beseech you what is he that is able to attain to that perfection? It is so far of that there should be any such uprightness in us, as that we are not able to think once a good thought, except God changeth our perverse nature, which before should be repugnant and contrary unto his righteousness. Wherefore, in sum, David, after that he had prayed unto God that he would instruct him, to the end he might keep his commandments: addeth, for a more ample confirmation: