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…

So then let us note, that when the faithful bind themselves to observe the word of God, they must not trust to them selves, ne yet be puffed up with a foolish opinion, that they have the power to do it: but they must say. Accomplish thou this, O Lord, and then I will follow it: write thy law O Lord, in mine heart, and then shall I have a desire to serve thee: and besides, Let the faithful always remember▪ that God will not handle them sharply: yea & although they fail in a great number of points, so that they are not able to observe one only point, nor jot perfectly: yet will he spare them through his free goodness & mercy. When the faithful & children of god shall have known thus much, and shall swear that they will observe the commandments of God: yet let them not cease for all that too fly unto the forgiveness of their sins, that they may feel the same too be a necessary remedy agreeable to the will of God, for the fulfilling of one part of his commandments. We see now then why David hath sworn to keep the Commandments of God, and that he will never change this purpose in his hart. Now he maketh two requests immediately after: whereof, the one is to be quickened and restored. Wherein he showeth that which I have already touched: which is, that he was not led with a foolish presumption of his own power & strength. For he which desireth god to be restored, confesseth that he liveth not as of himself, but that he must needs live by the grace & goodness of God. And yet David maketh this confession more expressly, when he addeth the reason why he useth to make such request: For I am very sore afflicted O Lord, saith he. See then David who confessing him self to be troubled, and as it were utterly made nothing beseecheth god for to restore him. Shall we say that he trusted to ⟨image 124⟩own strength? or that he attributed any thing whatsoever unto him self? we see the clean contrary. So then, according to that which we have already declared, let us understand that he sware not upon any vain presumption: but because he knew that God would never fail him. And this is the reason why he toke upon him this boldness. And that is it which he addeth: According to thy word: that is, according to thy promises. Now we ought throughly to consider all what soever that is here said. Quicken me O Lord, saith he. And thus much for the first point.

So then let vs note, that when the faithfull binde themselues to obserue the word of God, they must not trust to them selues, ne yet be puffed vp with a foolish opinion, that they haue the power to do it: but they must say. Accō plish thou this, O Lorde, and then I will followe it: write thy lawe O Lorde, in mine hearte, and then shall I haue a desire to serue thee: and besides, Let the faithful alwayes remember that God wil not handle them sharply: yea & although they faile in a great number of pointes, so that they are not able to obserue one only point, nor iot perfectly: yet wil he spare them through his free goodnes & mercie. Whē the faithful & childrē of god shal haue knowen thus much, and shall sweare that they will obserue the cōmandements of God: yet let them not cease for all that too flie vnto the forgiuenes of their sinnes, that they may feele the same too be a necessary remedy agreeable to the will of God, for the fulfilling of one parte of his commandements. We see now then why Dauid hath sworne to keepe the Commaundements of God, and that he wil neuer chaunge this purpose in his hart. Now he maketh two requests immediatly after: whereof, the one is to be quickened and restored. Wherein he sheweth that which I haue alredy touched: which is, that hee was not ledde with a foolish presumption of his owne power & stregth. For he which desireth god to be restored, confesseth that he liueth not as of himself, but that he must needs liue by the grace & goodnes of God. And yet Dauid maketh this confession more expresly, when he addeth the reason why he vseth to make such request: For I am very sore afflicted O Lord, saith he. See then Dauid who confessing him self to be troubled, and as it were vtterly made nothing besecheth god for to restore him. Shal we say that he trusted to