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…

Mine eyes prevent the night watches: that I might be occupied in thy word.

Mine eyes preuent the night watches: that I might be occupyed in thy worde.

This verse is not put to without cause. I have already said, that we can have no access unto God in our prayers, without we trust to his word. For it is a very hard matter for us to stay upon God, if we only consider of him according to our natural reason, whether he be near us or no, and whether he putteth forth his hand to help us. When then we shall not perceive this power and grace of God, as we would wish, it is a very hard thing for us too believe in him, and therefore we must stoutly strive in this behalf. And see why David saith, That his eyes prevented the night watch, to be occupied in that which might confirm him. As if he should have said, O Lord, I have believed thy word, but it was with great pain, and with many hard conflicts. For I am a weak man, and of mine own nature inclined to distrust, and besides I am assailed with a great number of temptations: But yet have I remedied all this gear, when as I occupied my self about this continual meditation of thy word, which I did not only bestow on the day time, but also in part of the night. See here what we are in very deed to gather out of this place. But first we must mark the proceeding of David. For after he hath spoken of the hope wherein he was settled, to pray unto ⟨image 167⟩God without doubting that he would hear him, he sayeth,

This verse is not put to without cause. I haue already sayd, that we can haue no accesse vnto God in our prayers, without we trust to his word. For it is a very harde matter for vs to stay vpon God, if we onely consider of him according to our naturall reason, whether he bee neere vs or no, and whether he putteth foorth his hand to help vs. When then we shall not perceiue this power and grace of God, as we would wishe, it is a very hard thing for vs too beleeue in him, and therefore wee must stoutely striue in this behalfe. And see why Dauid sayth, That his eyes preuented the night watch, to be occupyed in that which might confirme him. As if he should haue sayde, O Lorde, I haue beleeued thy word, but it was with greate paine, and with many harde conflicts. For I am a weake man, and of mine owne nature inclyned to distrust, and besides I am assayled with a greate number of temptations: But yet haue I remedied all this geere, when as I occupyed my selfe aboute this continuall meditation of thy word, which I did not onely bestowe on the day time, but also in parte of the night. See heere what we are in very deede to gather out of this place. But first we must mark the proceeding of Dauid. For after hee hath spoken of the hope wherein he was setled, to pray vntoo