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…

Now here we are to note two things, The one is, that when David desired God to look upon his afflictions, and to deliver him out of them: he confesseth that he was astonied, as if God had turned his back upon him. It is very true, that David considered not of all that was too be considered neither did he conclude, that God would cast off his children in such sort: But yet so far forth as natural reason could reach, see how he might judge of his estate.

Nowe heere we are to note two things, The one is, that when Dauid desired God to looke vpon his afflictions, and to deliuer him out of them: hee confesseth that hee was astonyed, as if God had turned his backe vpon him. It is very true, that Dauid considered not of all that was too bee considered neither did he conclude, that God would cast off his children in such sorte: But yet so farre forth as naturall reason coulde reach, see howe he might iudge of his estate.

And at that point also are all the Children of God. For on the one side, when as they shall look upon their own state and condition, they cannot chose but that they must be forced to say, what a thing is this, Surely, if God hath any compassion upon us, and that he seeth us, is it possible that ever we should be thus cruelly handled, will not he take some better order for this: See then, that we cannot choose, but to conceive these and such like imaginations in our hearts, when as we are grieved and persecuted, and look into our own present estate: yea, even as I have already said, we cannot choose even too feel our selves as it were to be forsaken of GOD. And yet for all this, we must be fully persuaded and resolved, that GOD beholdeth us: and although it seemeth, that he hath turned his back upon us, yet that he ceaseth not too help us, and is careful for our salvation, ⟨p. 165⟩yea and though we see nothing, yet let us hold this for a certain and an undoubted trueth, in our hearts. And therefore so often as we shall be thus troubled to think that God hath no longer care over us, but that he hath clearly forsaken us, yet let not this hinder us from praying, after the example of David: neither let us be slack, but even say, O Lord, behold me. In the second place we have to note, the reason which David here setteth down. For I do not forget thy law. If then we will have God to hear us, we must have his law as it were fully settled in our hearts. And how is that? Forsooth, we must think and study upon his promises, we must know him to be loving and merciful, to help all those that are his, and too aid them in all their necessities, and besides, this must be our sure foundation that his promises are infallible, and that he will not suffer his children to go empty away, when as they shall tend them selves thereto.