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…

Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage for ever: for they are the very joy of mine hart.

Thy testimonies haue I claymed as myne heritage for euer: for they are the very ioy of mine hart.

Now here he showeth, how he was able to remain firm & constant without being withdrawn by any temptations: but that he always stood steadfastly in the law of God: that is, because he always chose it for his heritage, that is for his chief felicity. For this word heritage, in the scripture, is taken for the thing that man most desireth, and that which most properly belongeth unto him. To be short, it is such a similitude, as that is which is spoken of the Treasure: as if a man should call it, the sovereign good, the true and perfect felicity. See then at what end we must begin, if in the middest of death we will abide so constantly as David hath done, too keep the law of god: that is I say, to choose it for our inheritance. And how is that? First of all we must understand, that all the commodities whereunto we are overmuch given, are transitory, without certainty, and without property. For we may want them every handewhyle: neither can we enjoy any thing be it never so justly given, but that we may be robbed of it betwixt this day and too morrow. What is then the surest felicity which we can have, and may enjoy for ever? it is even the word of God. And this is it which we ought chiefly too desire, and wherein we are especially too rejoice. Lo then how we must understand that which David here protesteth, That he hath chosen the word of God for his heritage.

Nowe heere hee sheweth, howe he was able to remaine firme & constant without being withdrawne by any temptations: but that hee alwaies stood stedfastly in the lawe of God: that is, bicause hee alwaies chose it for his heritage, that is for his chiefe felicitie. For this worde heritage, in the scripture, is taken for the thing that man moste desireth, and that which moste properly belongeth vnto him. To be shorte, it is such a similitude, as that is which is spoken of the Treasure: as if a man shoulde call it, the souereigne good, the true and perfect felicitie. See then at what ende wee must beginne, if in the middest of death we wil abide so constantly as Dauid hath doone, too keepe the lawe of god: that is I say, to choose it for our inheritance. And how is that? First of al we must vnderstande, that al the commodities wherevntoo wee are ouermuch giuen, are transitory, without certaintie, and without propertie. For wee may want them euery handewhyle: neither can wee enioy any thing be it neuer so iustly giuē, but that we may be robbed of it betwixt this day and too morowe. What is then the surest felicitie which wee can haue, and may enioy for euer? it is euen the woorde of God. And this is it which wee ought chiefely too desire, and wherein wee are especially too reioyce. Lo then how wee must vnderstande that which Dauid heere protesteth, That hee hath chosen the woorde of God for his heritage.