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…

And now we see the sum and effect of this first verse, it remaineth that we gather out thereof such Doctrine as is therein contained. For when we hear David speak after this manner, there is no doubt of it, but that the spirit of God declareth unto us where it is, that every of us must fully and wholly assure himself. And this to do, we must have regard too the desires wherewith we are allured by nature, for one nan is given too be ambitious, another ⟨image 70⟩to be covetous, another to be lecherous. In such sort as that men are carried away with their desires, as here before we have declared. It is meet therefore that we retire our selves from all these vain and perverse desires & lusts and to fight against all whatsoever may hinder us to come unto God: and when we have thus repressed our passions and fleshly lusts, let us then desire nothing else, but that God would draw us unto him self, link us unto him, and grant us the grace to keep his Commandments.

And nowe we see the summe and effect of this first verse, it remaineth that wee gather out thereof such Doctrine as is therein conteined. For when wee heare Dauid speake after this manner, there is no doubt of it, but that the spirit of God declareth vnto vs where it is, that euery of vs must fully and wholely assure himselfe. And this to doe, we must haue regarde too the desires wherewith wee are allured by nature, for one nan is giuen too bee ambitious, another ⟨image 70⟩to be couetous, another to be lecherous. In such sorte as that men are carryed away with their desires, as heere before we haue declared. It is meete therefore that wee retire our selues from all these vaine and peruerse desires & lustes and to fight against all whatsoeuer may hinder vs to come vnto God: and when wee haue thus repressed our passions and fleshly lustes, let vs then desire nothing else, but that God would drawe vs vnto him selfe, linke vs vnto him, and graunt vs the grace to keepe his Commaundements.

But we are oftentimes too note, that David speaketh here of a conclusion, which he holdeth for most certain and of no light motion: as when we have sometimes a desire to go unto God, yet it lasteth not long: for the flesh also pricketh us on the other side, and withdraweth us from that good, whereunto we had willingly bent our selves. It is not enough then to have a little desire, which soon waxeth cold, or rather, which waxeth even dead through contrary temptations: But we must hold a sound and steadfast conclusion, as David here speaketh, I have fully determined, saith he. He putteth in the word, to promise: But the Hebrews do take it to be fully resolved, to stand firm and constant in a matter, to the end not to vary or change.