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 that forsooth in such sort, as that they think a man should offer them great wrong, if he said, that all is lost labour which they have bestowed: & that they greatly tormented themselves to no purpose, except they did know that God heard them. It is most true, that every one will say, And how so I beseech you? wherefore will not God think well of that which I do, since it is my final intent to to serve him? no, no, God forceth not of all this. And what is the cause that men so arrogantly strive and spurn against God? It is because they call not their ways too remembrance: For it they had this consideration and wisdom, to look narrowly unto their doings, and to think thus with them selves. Howe shall I do? In what case am I? I must not go astray, but keep a sure and certain way and good mean: and to consider how to live: and above all, I must do thus much, as that God be not disappointed of the sovereignty which he hath over his.

And that forsooth in such sorte, as that they thinke a man should offer them great wrong, if hee sayd, that all is loste labour which they haue bestowed: & that they greatly tormented themselues to no purpose, except they did knowe that God hearde them. It is most true, that euery one will say, And howe so I beseech you? wherefore wil not God think wel of that which I doe, since it is my finall intent to to serue him? no, no, God forceth not of all this. And what is the cause that men so arrogauntly striue and spurne against God? It is because they call not their wayes too remembraunce: For it they had this consideration and wisdome, to looke narrowly vnto their dooings, and to think thus with them selues. Howe shall I doe? In what case am I? I must not goe astray, but keepe a sure and certaine way and good meane: and to consider how to liue: and aboue all, I must do thus much, as that God be not disappoynted of the soueraintie which he hath ouer his.

So then, when as men look well to their ways, it is very certain and sure, that they will wholly give themselves to follow the word of God, and therein take all their delight. And this is it that he saith on the contrary part, that he would turn his feet too the testimonies of God. Wherein he showeth too all men by his example, that they should walk as God hath commanded them, and not too be ruled after their own head and brain. For see from whence this madness cometh, which possesseth as it were all the whole world, that every man will serve God as he thinketh best: It is because we turn not our feet unto his Testimonies.