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…

I have executed judgement and justice: give me not over unto mine oppressors.

I haue executed iudgement and iustice: giue me not ouer vnto mine oppressors.

David here maketh a request unto God, that he might not be delivered into the hands of his enemies which sought to destroy him. Now for the obtaining of that which he demanded, he maketh this protestation, That he hath walked rightly before God, yea, even with them which went about to destroy him. Moreover these two words, Righteousness and Judgement: when they go together, import as much as too do wrong too none: but too proceed in equity, and in good faith (as we say) for too maintain every good cause, and not to suffer any wrong to be done: For it is not enough for us too abstain from hurting and grieving of our neighbour. Neither is it enough for us to go about to discharge us of our duties: But when we shall see any man unjustly trodden down, and a good cause go too wrack, we ought too oppose our selves against every such wicked act and injury, and as it were to take part with God, who as he is the commender of all equity, so will he also have us to maintain it forasmuch as we are his children. We see then in sum, the protestation which David here maketh, that is, that he did not only abstain from hurting his neighbours, & go about to render to every man, that which was his: But over & besides all this he set himself against all violences & extortions, which ⟨p. 134⟩were committed, he would not suffer the innocent to be oppressed to be put forth for a pray or spoil, but pained him self to do what in him lay to help them. When we may be bold too make such a protestation in trueth, Let us not doubt but that God will stretch forth his hand: that if men went about to trouble us, yea and that we were as it were in great danger too fall into their hands, Let us not doubt but that God will have pity on us and aid us. For this Prayer which David here maketh was not made at adventure: but the holy Ghost put it into his mouth, to the end to teach us to walk (as he hath done) so soundly & perfectly. And hereupon, if men should lift themselves up against us, and use all the outrages and malice they can against us, Let us have recourse unto God, & be assured that he will be our defender and protector.