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 here we have to note in this strain, that David having had such experience, deserveth well to be heard, and that they are no vain words which he here setteth down before hand: But that God also would have it so, too the end we should give the more credit unto it, and that we should no whit doubt of any thing that he teacheth us, when as he him self hath made proof of all that which he before had spoken. And thus much for the first point. The experience then whereof David speaketh should very well serve us in stead of our Seal, by which GOD meaneth too make the Doctrine of his Prophet to be of so much the more antiquity. And thus much for this.

Nowe heere wee haue to note in this streine, that Dauid hauing had such experience, deserueth wel to be heard, and that they are no vayne woordes which hee heere setteth downe before hand: But that God also woulde haue it so, too the ende wee should giue the more credite vnto it, and that wee shoulde no whitte doubt of any thinge that hee teacheth vs, when as hee him selfe hath made proofe of all that which he before had spoken. And thus much for the firste poynte. The experience then whereof Dauid speaketh shoulde very well serue vs in steade of our Seale, by which GOD meaneth too make the Doctrine of his Prophet to be of so much the more antiquitie. And thus much for this.

Moreover, let us learn rightly too understand, how sure we ought too be of the word of GOD, not too seek for the certainty thereof without our selves, but rather in our own Consciences. It is true, that we ⟨p. 101⟩ought throughly too look both above and beneath, too make the testimonies which GOD giveth us too serve our faith, too the end we might be certified of the trueth of his word, as already we have heard: but yet the principal point is this, for every man to enter into himself, and make such account of this certainty of the word of God that it may take such root in our souls, as that we may there feel it to be such as here it is said: to wit, that it never be shaken, although the whole world should be confounded, and that it is the same which must give us peace and rest, notwithstanding it seemed, that all were utterly overthrown. We must then acknowledge the effect and accomplishment of this certainty, which the Prophet here attributeth unto the word of God. In sum, it is as much as if he had said, that no man is able rightly to feel how God is faithful, and his word certain and sure, without he hath a true faith and belief thereof within his heart, & the same to be discharged of whatsoever is contrary to his salvation. As namely he sayeth, that he should have perished in his trouble, if he had not delighted in the word of God. David here showeth what experience he had: to wit, that he was so afflicted, that he was as it were even in the gulf of death.