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…

To be short, David showeth unto us by this place, that the faithful have wherein too rejoice, when as they are taught in the word of God: that they have whereon too stay and assure them selves, knowing that they shall never want any thing: that they ought not to be drawn neither this way nor that way, because they follow him of whom they held the doctrine. So then, they being settled hereupon, may be able too make their part good without any great a doe: and when they shall see every man go about to withdraw them, let them pray unto God that he will give them the grace to hold them selves simply unto him. Lo here David his meaning. Now he addeth soon after.

To beshorte, Dauid sheweth vnto vs by this place, that the faithfull haue wherein too reioyce, when as they are taught in the worde of God: that they haue whereon too stay and assure them selues, knowing that they shall neuer want any thing: that they ought not to be drawen neither this way nor that way, because they follow him of whome they helde the doctrine. So then, they beeing settled heerevpon, may be able too make their parte good without any great a doe: and when they shall see euery man goe aboute to withdrawe them, let them pray vnto God that hee will giue them the grace to holde them selues simply vnto him. Loe heere Dauid his meaning. Nowe hee addeth soone after.

I have refrained my feet from every evil way: that I might keep thy word.

I haue refrayned my feete from euery euil way: that I might keepe thy woorde.

Here David teacheth us, that they which are desirous to serve God and to stick to his word, are never without afflictions. But what is then to be done? We must be of a good courage to withstand all the temptations which Satan can any way assail us with, to withdraw & turn us from that which is good. I have saith he refrained my feet from every evil way. And had David need of this? he that was an holy Prophet, yea, and such a one as we see the holy Scripture too have reigned in, even from his youth: He then having received so excellent graces of God, being a mirror of all perfection, was it needful that he should keep him self from every evil way? It should seem that he was already utterly past going any evil way: Yea, but because he was a mortal man, he was not for all that without being encompassed with many vices and evil lusts against which he was to fight. And in deed, we see how God suffered David to fall once so grievously, as that his fall ought to be an horror unto us all.