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 David being led by the spirit of God, as a true Prophet, contenteth not him self with speaking of the benefits ⟨p. 178⟩which he had received, But instructeth others of that, which they have to do. Although in trueth, all the protestations which we have seen here, are full of doctrine. And that it is so, we see that David might very well have praised God in his hart, without declaring what he had done: But it was needful that he might be set as a Glass before our eyes, to the end we might be led too follow him. But yet in this verse, he more expressly setteth forth the office and duty of a prophet, when as he saith, They which love thy law, shall have great prosperity, and they shall have no hurt.

Heere Dauid beeing led by the spirit of God, as a true Prophet, contenteth not him selfe with speaking of the benefites ⟨p. 178⟩which hee had receiued, But instructeth others of that, which they haue to doe. Although in trueth, all the protestations which wee haue seene heere, are full of doctrine. And that it is so, wee see that Dauid might very well haue praysed God in his hart, without declaring what he had done: But it was needefull that he might be set as a Glasse before our eyes, to the ende we might be ledde too followe him. But yet in this verse, he more expressely setteth foorth the office and duetie of a prophet, when as hee sayth, They which loue thy lawe, shall haue great prosperitie, and they shall haue no hurt.

Now by this he showeth unto us that we are even in good earnest accursed, when as we give our selves up unto our own fleshly liking, because we would be esteemed amongst men, and take pleasure in our pastimes and delights. And why so? Because we shall be always tormented with unquietness and grief, so that we shall never be at peace and rest. And although we verily think our selves to be assured of victory all the days of our life, yet shall we reel this way and that, and willingly hurt our selves, so that it should seem we had a will too break both our arms and legs, & in the end, neck and all. And the reason is, for that we follow not the way which God hath set before us. Let us then consider, what the meaning of David is, to wit, that we must not make reckoning of any assurance here in this world, except we love the word of God: yea and that so to, as that we desire nothing else, but to be wholly ordered by it, to submit and hold our selves thereto, without being withdrawn by the enticements of Satan, and with all the temptations of our corrupt flesh and nature shall lay before our eyes. In very deed it may very well seem at the first sight, that experience teacheth us the contrary of that which David speaketh. For who are most grieved, vexed, and troubled? Forsooth even the children of God, who have all the shame & offences done unto them? Even the self same men. For it is said,