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…

These eight last verses, which arch knitting up of the whole Psalm, do show unto us that, which we oftentimes have before seen: to wit, that David his chiefest desire was this, to be duly and truly instructed in the word of God, and therein to be confirmed: for he took such pleasure in it, as that all the rest was little, or nothing worth unto him in respect of the same. Now it is very true, that he hath already sufficiently spoken of this matter: and yet that which he presently addeth is not superfluous, especially, if we consider in what sort our carnal desires rule us. For that is it which letteth us that we can not only have that fervency which David had, to seek throughly to profit in the school of God: but we scarcely have so much as any small desire. And therefore as I have already said, we are too too much nuzzled in our earthly affections. Wherefore this is a lesson which ought many times too put us in mind: that if we will pray unto God according unto his will, we must not come unto him with a desire of our own, to say whatsoever cometh in our brain, yea and to leave out the most principal part: but we must begin with this saying: to wit, that it would please God so to instruct us, as that our life may be squared according to his law, and we to cleave so unto it, as not to come with a double and twofold heart. Although we are to strive against the world, and our own nature, yet must we remain constant in this chiefly to love the word of God. And therefore for this cause David here sayeth,

THese eight last verses, which arche knitting vp of the whole Psalme, do shew vnto vs that, which we oftentimes haue before seene: to wit, that Dauid his chiefest desire was this, to be duely and truely instructed in the word of God, and therin to be cōfirmed: for he tooke such pleasure in it, as that all the rest was little, or nothing worth vnto him in respect of the same. Now it is very true, that he hath already sufficiētly spoken of this matter: and yet that which he presently addeth is not supperfluous, especially, if we consider in what sort our carnall desires rule vs. For that is it which letteth vs that we can not onely haue that feruency which Dauid had, to seeke throughly to profit in the schoole of God: but we scarsely haue so much as any small desire. And therefore as I haue already said, we are too too much nuzzeled in our earthly affections. Wherefore this is a lesson which ought many times too put vs in minde: that if wee will pray vnto God according vnto his will, wee must not come vnto him with a desire of our owne, to saye whatsoeuer commeth in our brayne, yea and to leaue out the most principall parte: but we must beginne with this saying: to wit, that it would please God so to instruct vs, as that our life may be squared according to his law, and we to cleaue so vnto it, as not to come with a double and twyfold heart. Although we are to striue against the worlde, and our owne nature, yet must we remaine constant in this chiefly to loue the woorde of God. And therefore for this cause Dauid here sayeth,