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…

Saint Paul also confesseth that he went too God as it were halting, that he did not that good which he would & desired,¹ but that he was encompassed with his natural vices, to do the evil which he condemned. David was not without such temptations: but how soever it was, it is most certain that the principal matter whereto he bent himself, was to serve God. Now as I have before said, we are all far from this example. For as many of us as at this day are best ⟨p. 14⟩affected, may be letted and hindered by a number of vices, vain cares of this world, & with lusts & desires of the flesh, that if we should remove our foot every day too go one pace forward, it were much and yet it may come so to pass often times, that we would draw back again to the place from whence we came. And yet notwithstanding, David, after he had protested that he sought God with his whole heart, besought God that he would not suffer him to decline from his Commandments. Hereby let us see what great need we have to call upon God, too the end he may hold us with a mighty strong hand. Yea, and although he hath already mightily put too his helping hand, and we also know that he hath bestowed upon us great and manifold graces: yet is not this all: But there are so many vices and imperfections in our nature, and we so feeble and weak, as that we have very great need daily to pray unto him, yea and that more and more, that he will not suffer us to decline from his Commandments. For although David protested that he sought God with all his heart, never thelesse, he addeth, yet suffer me not O Lord too go wrong from thy Commandments: What shall we do then? Let us also learn to walk carefully: for since he is the God which giveth us that good mind to will, and that also giveth us the power too perform, and all of his mere favour and grace: we ought (saith Saint Paul) to walk in fear, and to keep good watch, too the end that Satan taketh not us unprovided,² and that he enter not within us.

Saint Paule also confesseth that hee went too God as it were halting, that he did not that good which hee woulde & desired,¹ but that he was encompassed with his naturall vices, to doe the euill which he condemned. Dauid was not without such temptations: but how soeuer it was, it is most certaine that the principall matter wherto he bent himself, was to serue God. Now as I haue before said, we are all farr from this example. For as many of vs as at this day are best