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…

Behold a declaration of the matter which we have already touched here before: For David making this request, not to have the word of trueth to be taken out of his mouth for ever, had regard to two things: that is to say, being able too speak, after that GOD in bestowing his grace upon him, had opened his mouth, had confirmed the Children of GOD by his example, and brought them unto him in showing them the way, and in the mean while had foiled the wicked and despisers of God and of the Law, the scorners of his hope, and the blasphemers of God: yet was he able, I say, too beat them back, and make his part good against them all. And this matter he manifestly declareth, whereas he sayeth, I will speak of thy Testimonies, because GOD should no more take the word of trueth out of his mouth.

Beholde a declaration of the matter which wee haue already touched heere before: For Dauid making this request, not to haue the woorde of trueth to bee taken out of his mouth for euer, had regarde to twoo thinges: that is to say, beeing able too speake, after that GOD in bestowing his grace vpon him, had opened his mouth, had confirmed the Children of GOD by his example, and brought them vnto him in shewing them the way, and in the meane whyle had foyled the wicked and despisers of God and of the Lawe, the scorners of his hope, and the blasphemers of God: yet was hee able, I say, too beate them backe, and make his parte good againste them all. And this matter hee manifestly declareth, whereas hee sayeth, I will speake of thy Testimonyes, because GOD shoulde no more take the woorde of trueth out of his mouth.

Now besides this, that God giveth unto us matter whereof to speak freely, yet must that come from him, as we hear, that our Lord Jesus Christ hath spoken off: that it is the holy Ghost which guideth our tongues, that it cometh not of ourselves, to be able to answer our enemies that there needed but a small gale of wind to overthrow us. So then, it is meet that God should use his power that ⟨p. 52⟩we might be confirmed by him: For when as he shall put his word in our mouth, we may speak before Kings and Princes, and never be ashamed. As if he should have said, O Lord, thy word ought to be of such power unto us, as that we may foil our enemies, yea how great and mighty soever they be: albeit they should be such as were able to astonish and fear all the whole world, yet let our Faith be overthrown, through their mightiness, and pomp: knowing that when as they shall think too swallow all up, yet that we be left still always as Conquerors, yea even because we have regard to it.