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…

Lo here what is the first part and condition of faith. Now there is a second part & condition: to wit, the instruction which God giveth us, after that we are come unto him with that reverence that Scholars ought to come to their master: for we are more fully and soundly taught of him. This is it that David desireth. He protesteth That he hath believed the word of God: that is to say, to have known the majesty contained therein, to have obeyed it, and to have yielded himself subject unto the same. When he had made this protestation, O Lord, sayeth he, now that I have felt the power and virtue of thy word, and have chiefly been desirous thereof, grant me this grace that I may comprehended it.

Loe here what is the first part and condition of faith. Now there is a second part & condition: to wit, the instructiō which God giueth vs, after that we are come vnto him with that reuerence that Schollers ought to come to their maister: for we are more fullie and soundly taught of him. This is it that Dauid desireth. He protesteth That hee hath beleeued the woorde of God: that is to say, to haue knowne the maiestie conteined therein, to haue obeyed it, and to haue yelded himselfe subiect vnto the same. When hee had made this protestation, O Lorde, sayeth he, now that I haue felt the power and vertue of thy woorde, and haue chiefly beene desirous thereof, graunt mee this grace that I may comprehended it.

Lo here a notable place and worthy the noting. For in the first place▪ we are advertised, that we shall never profit our selves either in the Gospel, or yet in any part of the holy Scripture, if we have not this modesty with us, ⟨image 80⟩as too yield our selves too God: with this persuasion, that the same which we account too be good and faithful with us is nothing in respect of that which he meaneth too do therein on his behalf: considering that he hath showed it unto us:For we are simple and ignorant, and cannot conceive the things which are necessary for our salvation, until such time as we have yielded our minds to this reason. And lo wherefore there are so few scholars of God at this day in this point. For how many shall we find at this day, which have their mind so humbled as it ought? But the greater part are arrogant fools, we shall find very many in this behalf, that will make no more account of the word of God, then if a mortal and silly man had spoken. Forsomuch then as men come thus too God with such a pride, let us not wonder although he leaveth them without wit or reason: and although the Sun shineth bright before their eyes, yet remain they continually blind, and grope about, as it were in the dark, and wander about even too the hazard of their neck breaking. We must not be abashed at this, although God depriveth them of his grace, since they will not submit themselves unto his word. Even so, when as this shall be in us to attribute unto God the authority and honour which he is worthy off, we may after the example of David, hope that he will instruct us more and more: and also make this request unto him. For this is the first degree and steppe of all Christian wisdom: to wit, to humble them selves in such sort, as that they be ever ready to receive whatsoever God shall say unto them. When as they shall be thus prepared, they can not do amiss, nor yet fear that God will ever forsake them: but that he will spread forth his power to maintain them, as he hath therein promised them to do. And thus much as touching these two verses. Now it followeth,