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…

For under this word. to live, David comprehendeth all whatsoever concerneth the welfare and felicity of men. He saith then, Although O Lord, I shall be taken as a miserable creature, and that in deed I shall abide many troubles which shall be grievous unto me: yet shall I have true life and salvation, so I be thus established in thy word. Now he addeth a little more, Let me not be disappointed of mine hope: wherein his meaning is to signify, that God never suffereth his Children to be disappointed, when as they put their trust in him; But yet the case so standeth, as that we must so beseech him by reason of our weakness. For although we trust in God, yet for all that we go coldly unto him, and we shall find our faith to be always too too weak and feeble.

For vnder this woorde. to liue, Dauid comprehendeth all whatsoeuer concerneth the welfare and felicitie of men. He sayth then, Although O Lorde, I shalbe taken as a miserable creature, and that in deede I shall abide many troubles which shall be greeuous vnto me: yet shall I haue true life and saluation, so I be thus established in thy word. Now he addeth a little more, Let me not be disapoynted of mine hope: wherein his meaning is to signifie, that God neuer suffereth his Children to be disapoynted, when as they put their trust in him; But yet the case so standeth, as that wee must so beseech him by reason of our weakenesse. For although we trust in God, yet for all that we goe coldely vnto him, and wee shall finde our faith to be alwayes too too weake and feeble.

To be short, our heart shall be so shut up, as that the graces of God, as touching our selves, shall hardly water it by dropmeale. It is very true that God for his part poureth upon us his graces abundantly: but we therein are nothing capable for the receiving of them. Wherefore, we are not worthy to taste and feel his aid in our need, What should this then be, if he surmounted not our hope, to help that which therein is wanting? And besides we know that the Devil would soon overthrow all our hope, were it not that it is very well kept by an heavenly power, as also S. Peter maketh thereof mention.¹ For when he speaketh of faith, he saith not that men are the Guardians or keepers of it. For if that were so, it should oftentimes be violently taken from them. But that is a treasure which God keepeth in his own hands, and that by his own invincible power and strength. See also why our Lord and Saviour Christ in the 10. of John, for our comfort saith,