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 we see more clearly that, which I have already touched: to wit, what the petitions of the faithful ought to be, to the end they should not be given to vain things, For we need not to have any thing to make us by and by to go astray, seeing our own nature draweth us readily enough thereto. There is no question, but that we will go more then a foot pace, when as we are bent too do mischief: yea we will trot on most swiftly and violently, even as wretched men that were bewitched. Wherefore, here is a remedy set down unto us: considering that our nature is inclined to all evil, and carieth us thereto headlong, that we only ought to endeavour our selves too bridle our vain and wicked affections: and besides we ought too desire God to keep us through his word, and not too suffer any iniquity too reign in us. Lo, I say, in what sort all the faithful must order them selves, fighting against all their ⟨p. 143⟩fleshly lusts: For it is meet that we utterly renounce the evil that is in us, if we will seek after God and come unto him. Now here are two things which David desireth, To have his so otesteppes ordered according to the word of God: And afterward, that no iniquity have dominion over him. Which is as much as if he had said, That God had conformed him to his word, and given him power and strength to withstand all temptations.

Heere wee see more cleerely that, which I haue already touched: to wit, what the petitions of the faithfull ought to be, to the ende they should not be giuen to vaine things, For we neede not to haue any thing to make vs by and by to goe astray, seeing our owne nature draweth vs readyly inough thereto. There is no question, but that wee wil go more then a foote pace, when as wee are bent too doe mischiefe: yea we will trot on moste swiftly and violently, euen as wretched men that were bewitched. Wherefore, heere is a remedy set downe vnto vs: considering that our nature is inclyned to all euill, and caryeth vs thereto headlong, that we only ought to indeuour our selues too bridle our vaine and wicked affections: and besides wee ought too desire God to keepe vs through his woord, and not too suffer any iniquitie too reigne in vs. Loe, I say, in what sorte all the faithfull muste order them selues, fighting against all their ⟨p. 143⟩fleshly lustes: For it is meete that wee vtterly renounce the euill that is in vs, if wee will seeke after God and come vnto him. Nowe heere are two things which Dauid desiereth, To haue his so otesteppes ordered according to the worde of God: And afterwarde, that no iniquitie haue dominion ouer him. Which is asmuch as if hee had sayde, That God had conformed him to his word, and giuen him power and strength to withstand all temptations.