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…

They had almost made an end of me upon the Earth: But I forsake not thy commandments.

They had almost made an ende of me vpon the Earth: But I forsake not thy comaundements.

See here a sentence worthy to be well weighed. It is very true that David expresseth that which he had before spoken, I have not (saith he) forsaken thy commandments O Lord, although I was as one clearly dried up, and as a man utterly forlorn, yet for all that have I not forsaken thy Commandments. Now it must needs be that David resisted two temptations in continuing so firm and constant in the obedience of God. The first was, that he might have been brought into some distress. The second, that he might have bin bent to have done wickedly. And why so? seeing that the wicked had unjustly persecuted him, he might have been revenged of them. Lo the two assaults which was meet and convenient for him to sustain and keep of. Even so must we follow his example: For when men shall unjustly molest and grieve us, and that they shall not only do us ⟨p. 95⟩one injury, yea two or three: but that our trouble shall continue without end and without ceasing, let us yet learn to be patient. And chiefly, when as there shall be no question of abiding a little damage, or small grief: But that we shall be mortally persecuted, and our life too be as it were desperate, to be already as it were in the very throat of the Wolf, yea to be already even as men swallowed up and devoured. When as we shall be brought even to such a pass, yet let us not cease to say with David, I have not forsaken thy commandments.

See heere a sentence worthy to bee well weyed. It is very true that Dauid expresseth that which he had before spoken, I haue not (sayth he) forsaken thy commaundementes O Lord, although I was as one clearely dryed vp, and as a man vtterly forlorne, yet for all that haue I not forsaken thy Commandementes. Nowe it must needes be that Dauid resisted two temptations in continuing so firme and constant in the obedience of God. The first was, that he might haue beene brought into some distresse. The second, that he might haue bin bent to haue done wickedly. And why so? seing that the wicked had vniustly persecuted him, hee might haue beene reuenged of them. Loe the two assaultes which was meete and conuenient for him to sustaine and keepe of. Euen so must we followe his example: For when men shall vniustly molest and greeue vs, and that they shall not onely doe vs