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…

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.

But wee are oftentimes too note, that Dauid speaketh heere of a conclusion, which he holdeth for moste certaine and of no light motion: as when we haue sometimes a desire to goe vnto God, yet it lasteth not long: for the fleshe also pricketh vs on the other side, and withdraweth vs from that good, whereunto we had willingly bent our selues. It is not inough then to haue a little desire, which soone waxeth cold, or rather, which waxeth euen dead through contrary temptations: But we must holde a sounde and stedfast conclusion, as Dauid heere speaketh, I haue fully determined, saith he. He putteth in the word, to promise: But the Hebrues doe take it to be fully resolued, to stand firme and constant in a matter, to the end not to varie or chaunge.

Now (in sum) let us note, that so long as men give them selves too worldly things, they do nothing else but wander: they know not wherein their felicity consisteth, but we must come to this conclusion here set down unto us, to keep the Commandments of God: & then shall we never have occasion to have a desire to these miserable foolish worldly things, which fly about in the air, which suffer them selves too be carried after their frivolous and vain desires. For we shall be assured to chose a good portion, when as we shall be so united to God, by the bond of his word. Now as we have already touched, the second verse containeth a request which David saith he continually made:

Nowe (in summe) let vs note, that so long as men giue them selues too worldly things, they doe nothing else but wander: they knowe not wherein their felicitie consisteth, but we must come to this conclusion heere set downe vnto vs, to keepe the Commaundementes of God: & then shall we neuer haue occasion to haue a desire to these miserable foolish worldly things, which flye about in the ayre, which suffer them selues too be carryed after their friuolous and vaine desires. For we shall be assured to chose a good portion, when as we shall be so vnited to God, by the bond of his word. Nowe as we haue already touched, the seconde verse conteineth a request which Dauid sayth he continually made: