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…

The protestation which David maketh, ought too stir us up too walk in such sort with our neighbours, as that we give them no occasion too hurt us. But too live plainly and simply one by an other. The wicked may very well hurt one another, yea and even destroy them selves: but in the mean time, the Children of God must have this testimony always with them, that they will neither do nor yet procure them any hurt: but are grieved and sorrowful too see them run headlong into destruction.

The protestation which Dauid maketh, ought too stirre vs vpp too walke in such sorte with our neighboures, as that wee giue them no occasion too hurte vs. But too liue plainely and simply one by an other. The wicked may very well hurte one another, yea and euen destroy them selues: but in the meane time, the Children of God muste haue this testimony alwayes with them, that they will neither doe nor yet procure them any hurte: but are greeued and sorrowfull too see them runne headlong into destruction.

When this mind shall be in us, then shall we have an excellent entrance to call upon God: but contrariwise, if we render evil for evil, being molested by our enemies, and enforce our selves to do the like, and cry quittance (as we say) with them, our cause will quite be overthrown. And why so? For if we shall be so vengeful, it is impossible for us to trust and believe that God will help us. Yea even then I say, when we shall have a good and just quarrel. For God will discharge us if we shall not have a good conscience: and although some there, are which would both wish and do us hurt: We must say, O Lord, this is injuriously and falsely done. But (as I have already touched) let us have such a testimony in our hearts, that although they which persecute us are the instruments and limbs of Satan, and do it of mere malice: Let us not clean contrary purchase them any hurt or displeasure. Then may we call upon God with David, knowing that he will never fail those which are wrongfully persecuted. Lo then the meaning of these three points which are here touched. Now after that David had thus spoken, he addeth,

When this mind shalbe in vs, then shal we haue an excellent entraunce to call vpon God: but contrariwise, if we render euill for euill, beeing molested by our enemyes, and inforce our selues to doo the like, and cry quittance (as we say) with them, our cause wil quite bee ouerthrowne. And why so? For if we shall be so vengefull, it is impossible for vs to trust and beleeue that God wil helpe vs. Yea euen then I say, when we shall haue a good and iust quarrell. For God will discharge vs if wee shall not haue a good conscience: and although some there, are which would both wish and doe vs hurt: We must say, O Lord, this is iniuriously and falsely doone. But (as I haue already touched) let vs haue such a testimonie in our heartes, that although they which persecute vs are the instrumentes and limmes of Satan, and do it of meere malice: Let vs not cleane contrary purchase them any hurte or displeasure. Then may wee call vppon God with Dauid, knowing that hee will neuer faile those which are wrongfully persecuted. Loe then the meaning of these three poyntes which are heere touched. Now after that Dauid had thus spoken, he addeth,