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…

Let my Complaint come before thee, O Lord: and give me understanding according unto thy word.

Let my Complaint come before thee, O Lord: and giue me vnderstanding according vnto thy word.

When he speaketh of his complaint which he maketh unto the Lord, he showeth that he made no cold prayer unto God, as we many times, and as it were daily do but with great vehemency. I can not deny but that an hypocrite ⟨p. 181⟩may very well make complaint with a loud noise, and thrust out his weasand. But David having here consideration of God, meaneth not to make an outward show before men. Wherefore, That he cried out aloud, importeth as much as an earnest testimony wherewith he was pricked forward. Now by this we see, that he chiefly desired that which he craveth: to wit, to have God to instruct him, and to give him understanding. And in desiring this gift of God, he confesseth that he was of him self a very wretched blind soul▪ that he never understood any thing, yea although he had the law in his hands, which he might read, wherein was contained a true perfection of all wisdom, yet that he still continued even like a poor miserable blind wretch, except God enlightened him. So then, let us understand that this is an especial gift which God bestoweth upon us, when he openeth our eyes, too make us understand that which is showed in his word, whether we read it, or that it be preached unto us. Yea, and let us not here make any exception, thinking our selves to be more sharp witted, or abler then David was: but let us rather know, that if he needed to beseech God to give him understanding, that we for our parts have as great need. So then, it can not be chosen but that when God hath delivered unto us his word, and declared his will therein contained: and for performance hereof enlighteneth our hearts by his holy spirit: for other ways we shall have our cares beaten in vain: and then the doctrine which we have heard will do us no good. Now that which followeth, According unto thy word, may two ways beset forth, According unto thy word: that is to say, that thou wilt make me wise. And after what manner? That I be altogether ruled by thee, and do that which thou commandest. This is a very true saying, for by this we are admonished to hear God speak, and we again must suffer him to have dominion over us: and not to be overtaken, with this foolish arrogance, and say, I have knowledge enough, I need not so much teaching. Wherefore, when as God shall have spoken the word, let us pass it simply and without gainsaying.