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 if we shall look well into our selves, how few shall we see which have not been overcome with the least temptation that hath come unto them? there shall need but one man to oppose him self against us, and lo we are by and by carried to do wickedly, now we know not that this cometh from God. To be short, the least fly which flieth before our eyes (as we say) is even enough to turn us quite out of the right way. And surely we may be greatly ashamed so suddenly to change our copy: where before we made great show of following of God, and by and by to go clean against the hair. And we think this may be a most lawful excuse, when as we can handle the matter thus, to say, that we were carried to do wickedly through some ten tation. It is so far of that this excuse should go for payment, as that it is neither worth ware nor money. But we must say with David, yea and that truly as he hath done, That whensoever the whole congregation of the wicked shall assail us, let us not cease to persevere and continue in the law of God. And namely he sayeth, That they have robbed him, which is yet the most grievous and sharp thing that can come to a man, and which might soonest make him to quail. For it may be that the wicked will go about to molest us, and yet come not to the end of their enterprise: but David saith, that he was put out for a pray, that he was as a wretched forlorn creature, and assailed on every side: and yet that he forgot not the law of God. And in so saying, it is as if he should have protested and said, that he had always ⟨image 75⟩one self and the same affection to follow the law of God.

Now if we shall looke well into our selues, how few shall we see which haue not beene ouercome with the least temtation that hath come vnto them? there shall neede but one man to oppose him selfe against vs, and loe we are by and by carried to do wickedly, now we knowe not that this cō meth from God. To be short, the least flie which flieth before our eyes (as we saye) is euen enough to turne vs quite out of the right way. And surely we may be greatly ashamed so suddainly to change our copie: where before wee made great showe of following of God, and by and by to goe cleane against the haire. And we thinke this may be a most lawefull excuse, when as we can handle the matter thus, to say, that we were carried to doe wickedly through some tē tation. It is so farre of that this excuse should goe for payement, as that it is neither worth ware nor money. But wee must seye with Dauid, yea and that truely as he hath done, That whensoeuer the whole congregation of the wicked shall assaile vs, let vs not cease to perseuer and cōtinue in the lawe of God. And namely he sayeth, That they haue robbed him, which is yet the most grieuous and sharpe thing that can come to a man, and which might soonest make him to quaile. For it may be that the wicked will go about to molest vs, and yet come not to the ende of their enterprise: but Dauid saith, that he was put out for a pray, that he was as a wretched forlorne creature, and assayled on euery side: and yet that he forgot not the lawe of God. And in so saying, it is as if he should haue protested and sayde, that hee had alwayes