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…

Wherefore it remaineth that we desire this performance with the graces that David hath here demanded: Thy graces O Lord, had need to increase in us, grant us therefore that we may come too the accomplishment of them. ⟨p. 132⟩We have O Lord walked purely so far forth as thou hast given us the power: But we fly unto thy promises: to the end thou mightest make us to persevere in well doing. See, I say, how we ought too crave the thing at the hands of God which he hath already given us, and that we have received from him: that is, that it would please him to conserve and increase it, considering that we are very far from such a perfection as is most requisite: in such sort as that we never decline from well doing, which we should do if he shaked his hand. See then too what end this petition tendeth which is here placed.

Wherfore it remayneth that we desire this performance with the graces that Dauid hath heere demaunded: Thy graces O Lord, had neede to increase in vs, graunt vs therfore that we may come too the accomplishment of them. ⟨p. 132⟩Wee haue O Lorde walked purely so farfoorth as thou hast giuen vs the power: But wee flye vntoo thy promises: to the end thou mightest make vs to perseuer in well dooing. See, I say, how wee ought too craue the thing at the handes of God which he hath already giuen vs, and that we haue receiued from him: that is, that it woulde please him to conserue and increase it, considering that we are very farre from such a perfection as is most requisite: in such sorte as that wee neuer decline from well dooing, which we should doe if he shaked his hande. See then too what end this petition tendeth which is heere placed.

Now we must turn again to the matter, to wit, that David here repeateth, that they which have been thus perfect, & have loved well doing, should be under the hand and safeguard of God, never to be delivered into the power of their enemies, so that the proud shall never be able to do them that exceeding great wrong which they had pretended: Not that they shall not be assailed, neither yet that the wicked will not craftily go about to work them mischief: but yet so, as that God will be their buckler, and defend them with his mighty power. And namely he saith, The proud. Because that they which are our enemies, and make war against us, have such an unbridled liberty, as that they think neither God nor yet any other living creature is able to stay them, but that they will bring to pass whatsoever they have determined. Since then it is so, that we have too deal with such kind of people as are both stout and cruel, who lift them selves up against all trueth, that neither the fear of GOD, nor yet natural honesty can stop them, but that they will destroy whether it be right or wrong as we say: for this cause David saith, O Lord let not the proud do me wrong. And so as often as we shall see this boldness in men, to lift themselves up, and to vomit out their pestilent malice against us, let us fly unto GOD, and beseech him too hold his holy hand over us, & to repress so great and insolent arrogance. This being done, although men for their parts make such attempts,