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, as I have already said, David bragged not here of his virtues, but meaneth only that he was not carried away with the iniquity of men, to be even with them, or to cry quittance, as we say, that he was not in haste to have that which was promised him, but held him self continually quiet and still, attending patiently to have God to accomplish that which he had promised, touching the revenge of his enemies: even so, when as any shall grieve & trouble us, yet must we not leave to follow our vocation, and to persevere in the fear of God. For the greater part of us will always be full of malice and unthankfulness, until such time as God hath reformed us. So then, when as we shall not have hurt any man, if they rise up against us in arms, let us not be astonied thereat. And thus much for this. Now the other is, that when our enemies shall be infinite in number, we must not be troubled for all this: but let us know what the power of God is, and glorify him as he ought to be glorified. And this is a very necessary point for us to learn: For we must not be afeard of our own shadows, as we say. And therefore, if there be two or three men which are in credit and authority, that shall make war against us, we are so faint hearted before the blow come, as that it seemeth unto us that we are utterly undone: even as though God were not strong enough to help us. See how we through fond ignorance glory in the power of men, and utterly overthrow the power and might of God, And therefore we ought a great deal the better to consider of this place, where it is said, Many there are, O Lord, which trouble and persecute me: yet do I not swerve from ⟨image 177⟩thy law, neither yet have I forgotten it: That is to say, that although we see an infinite number of people too rise up against us, that we see a general conspiracy of the whole world, and of all the creatures therein, yet let us not be too too much afeard, knowing that the power of our God shall be sufficient enough to save & defend us. See what we have to note out of this place, where it is said, It grieved me when I saw the transgressors: because they kept not thy law.

Now, as I haue already said, Dauid bragged not here of his vertues, but meaneth onely that hee was not caried away with the iniquitie of men, to be euen with them, or to crie quittance, as wee say, that hee was not in haste to haue that which was promised him, but helde him selfe continually quiet and still, attending paciētly to haue God to accomplishe that which he had promised, touching the reuenge of his enemies: euen so, when as any shall grieue & trouble vs, yet must we not leaue to followe our vocation, and to perseuer in the feare of God. For the greater part of vs will alwayes be full of malice and vnthankefulnesse, vntil such time as God hath refourmed vs. So then, when as wee shall not haue hurt any man, if they ryse vp against vs in armes, let vs not be astonied thereat. And thus much for this. Nowe the other is, that when our enemies shalbe infinite in number, wee must not be troubled for all this: but let vs knowe what the power of God is, and glorifie him as he ought to be glorified. And this is a very necessary point for vs to learne: For wee must not bee afeard of our owne shadowes, as we say. And therefore, if there be two or three men which are in credit and authoritie, that shall make warre against vs, wee are so faint hearted before the blowe come, as that it semeth vnto vs that we are vtterly vndone: euen as though God were not strong enough to helpe vs. See how we through fond ignoraunce glorie in the power of men, and vtterly ouerthrowe the power and might of God, And therefore wee ought a great deale the better to consider of this place, where it is saide, Many there are, O Lord, which trouble and persecute me: yet doe I not swarue from