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…

Here it may very well seem that David maketh two petitions, but yet they tend both to one end. For in the first part of this verse, he showeth, how he desireth, and trusteth to be heard: to wit, through the mere mercy of God. As if he should have said, O Lord, teach me thy statutes: and teach me them, not for that I think my self worthy of them, but because thou art pitiful and knowest my need, and hast promised also to help all those which call upon thee. Deal then, O Lord, with thy servant according too thy mercy, to the end thou mightest teach me. By this we see that, which I have already touched: to wit, that this verse containeth not two petitions, but one only. And yet notwithstanding David so setteth it forth, in declaring that when he cometh to God to pray him to teach him, that he doeth it not to the end that he presumeth of his merits, neither yet to make vaunt that he deserveth any thing of him. Wherefore then? Forsooth because he looketh and trusteth to the mere mercy of God. And in very deed, this is a far more precious thing then that which David here demandeth, to be taught the statutes of God, to say that it hangeth not upon our merits, neither yet of any worthiness of ours. It is a question to know the way of everlasting life, and wherein it consisteth & lieth. It is very meet then that God do it, because he is pitiful: that he use ⟨p. 134⟩his goodness towards us, and looketh to none but unto him self, because he is good, and that it pleaseth him to put to his helping hand to those which are his. Now although he hath here spoken of an excellent thing, yet of all the petitions which we make, were they the least in the world, we always ought to lay this foundation, yea, and to stay upon it, that is, upon the mercy of God. If we should only demand but a drop of water or a morsel of bread, we must not think too obtain, by reason of our desert, as if God paid unto us our wages: but his mercy must always go before, for that is the cause why we receive so many benefits at his hand, and especially that we are taught his statutes.

Here it may very wel seeme that Dauid maketh two petitions, but yet they tende both to one ende. For in the first part of this verse, he sheweth, how he desireth, and trusteth to be heard: to wit, through the meere mercy of God. As if he should haue said, O Lorde, teach me thy statutes: and teach mee them, not for that I thinke my selfe worthy of them, but bicause thou art pitifull and knowest my neede, and hast promised also to helpe all those which call vppon thee. Deale then, O Lorde, with thy seruant according too thy mercie, to the ende thou mightest teache me. By this we see that, which I haue already touched: to wit, that this verse conteineth not two petitions, but one onely. And yet notwithstanding Dauid so setteth it forth, in declaring that when he commeth to God to praye him to teach him, that he doeth it not to the ende that hee presumeth of his merittes, neither yet to make vaunt that hee deserueth any thing of him. Wherefore then? Forsooth bicause hee looketh and trusteth to the meere mercy of God. And in very dede, this is a farre more precious thing then that which Dauid here demaundeth, to be taught the statutes of God, to say that it hangeth not vpon our merites, neither yet of any worthinesse of ours. It is a question to know the way of euerlasting life, and wherein it consisteth & lieth. It is very meete then that God do it, bicause he is pitifull: that he vse