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…

See then, what it is that David meaneth to learn us by his example. And besides, when he saith, That he is become wiser then his ancients: It is to show us, that we ought too have such a certainty of our faith, as that when there shall be laid before us what soever shall be alleged of this world, that it be said, And what I beseech you? must not the ancient men be wise? They lived thus in the old time: There are a great number of persons: And we see a great many to be of the contrary opinion to this. If then they shall allege unto us men for their age, for their long experience and all their study, and whatsoever else that may be said: What of all this? All that can be said, is nothing in respect of this word of God. So then, we see how David after he hath taught us the way unto humility, to the end we should present before God all the knowledge that is in us, he showeth again that the word of God ought to be of that authority with us, as that we should not fear too walk the way which he hath taught us, although we see all the rest of the world to go clean contrary. When as we shall hear that that may be said, And what I pray you? Is it possible that they which are held and accounted to be so wise, should err like poor and miserable beasts? yea, and that the same hath continued so many years? will any man say, that it hath no reason for it in all the whole world? Is it possible that this may be so? we ought not to trouble our selves for all these speeches. And why so? I answer: hath god spoken the word? Then, I say, let mans reason & wit stay there, let it humble & make it self nothing ⟨p. 110⟩worth, and let us confess with David, that there is one only word of God, which ought to bear rule over all, & that this word hath such an excellent wisdom in it self, as that it shall consume all the knowledge and wisdom whatsoever, that men think they have. Now like as the faithful ought to scorn that which men on their behalf shall allege, to the end too divert them from the obedience of God, and the certainty which they have in his word: so also let us learn, that the old men ought not too be opinative against God, under this shadow that they have seen much: that they have seen many things even before their eyes:

See then, what it is that Dauid meaneth to learne vs by his example. And besides, when he sayth, That he is become wiser then his auncients: It is to shewe vs, that wee ought too haue such a certaintie of our fayth, as that when there shall bee layde before vs what soeuer shall bee alleadged of this worlde, that it be sayde, And what I beseech you? muste not the auncient men bee wise? They lyued thus in the olde time: There are a great number of persons: And wee see a great many to be of the contrary opinion to this. If then they shall alleadge vnto vs men for their age, for their long experience and all their study, and whatsoeuer else that may bee sayde: What of all this? All that can bee sayd, is nothing in respect of this word of God. So then, wee see howe Dauid after he hath taught vs the way vnto humilitie, to the end we should present before God all the knowledge that is in vs, he sheweth againe that the word of God ought to be of that authoritie with vs, as that wee shoulde not feare too walke the way which hee hath taught vs, although we see all the rest of the world to go cleane cotrary. Whē as we shal heare that that may be said, And what I pray you? Is it possible that they which are helde and accounted to be so wise, should erre like poore and miserable beastes? yea, and that the same hath continued so many yeeres? wil any man say, that it hath no reason for it in all the whole worlde? Is it possible that this may be so? we ought not to trouble our selues for all these speeches. And why so? I answere: hath god spoken the word? Then, I say, let mans reason & wit stay there, let it humble & make it selfe nothing