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…

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:

I made my humble petition in thy presence with my whole hart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

I made my humble petitiō in thy presence with my whole hart: be mercifull vnto me according to thy word.

Now in saying, that he continually prayed unto God, herein he showeth us what the manner is to pray well: that we should be constant to follow it, and not too be weary, not that God needeth to be importunately urged, but it is to exercise our faith, and the better to try us, whether we seek all our felicity in him or not. For it is so, that the holy scripture requireth constancy in our prayers, especially and above all other things, and not to pray unto God this day, and quite forget him to morrow, but we must continue, if we will be heard. And lo wherein we must show our selves to have trusted in God, that is, that although it seemeth to us that he hath stopped his ears, yet for all that we must not cease too go continually unto him, and pray unto him an hundred times as much as we did before: knowing it to be no superfluous labour, when as we have thus prayed. Lo here as touching the perseverance whereof David in this place speaketh: Now set us see what the substance of his prayer is, O Lord (saith he) be merciful unto me according to thy word.