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…

I know O Lord, that thy judgements are right: and that thou haste afflicted me justly.

I knowe O Lord, that thy iudgementes are right: and that thou haste afflicted me iustly.

David thinketh good to speak here a common thing, That he knoweth the statutes of God to be right. For what is he that is so accursed, which will confess that? Yea, even they which dare blaspheme and speak evil against God, when they shall be pressed thus far, yet will say, that the holy scripture is a doctrine that cannot be amended, and that the law of God is the rule of all equity. The very wicked then, will speak thus well of it: but yet there are very few which have this consideration imprinted in their harts: to wit, to make this estimation of the law of God, as too say, that what soever is contained therein is just. And why so? That is first, by reason of the contrariety that is between our wit and the wisdom of God. And next, by reason of the contrariety of our wicked lusts, and affections, with the bridle which he holdeth us, too rule us according too his pleasure, and in his obedience, when as men will take counsel of their own head, that they think to control thereby, whatsoever God speaketh in his word: we then agree even like fire and water. For all our wisdom is but vanity and leasing, when as we shall appose and set our selves against the holy Scriptures, the doctrine of the Law, and whatsoever is contained in the Prophets and the Gospel. As we see at this day, the world will in no wise subject it self thereto. From whence come all these ⟨image 89⟩controversies and dissentions throughout all christendom? Forsooth it is because that men will be overwise, and will never honour God in such sort, as to say, Although O Lord our own wits lead us altogether preposterously, yet must we needs be ruled by thee. And because that we are not able to attain to this reason, it cannot be chosen but that the tile shards must needs fly about and the world be infected. See then, what is the cause that letteth the bigger number too confess both with heart and mouth, that the judgements of God are right: to wit, that all perfection of wisdom is in his law, in his Prophets, and in his Gospel: that it must needs fall out, that we ought to do him homage in all this, knowing that it is impossible too find any one jot therein contained, to be amended.