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…

howbeit he accepteth it thankfully under this title, as the scripture thereof maketh mention. Since then it is so, if we will not that the benefit which God hath bestowed upon us, turn it self into condemnation by reason of our unthankfulness, let us be well advised to discharge our selves towards him: and so, when as he shall have laid open his goodness upon us, let us not be forgetful of it, neither yet let our mouths be closed up, but even to acknowledge the same unto him.

howebeit hee accepteth it thankefully vnder this title, as the scripture thereof maketh mention. Since then it is so, if wee will not that the benefite which God hath bestowed vpon vs, turne it selfe into condemnation by reason of our vnthankefulnesse, let vs be well aduised to discharge our selues towardes him: and so, when as hee shall haue layde open his goodnesse vpon vs, let vs not bee forgetfull of it, neither yet let our mouthes be closed vp, but euen to acknowledge the same vnto him.

And thus much as touching the first point. The second is, That he which shall be well and duly instructed in the word of God, let him show it, yea in glorifying his name all the days of his life. They then which are so cold in praising of God, do right well show, that they never felt what the power of the word is. And thy so? Because it is impossible for us to have any taste of the word of God, to receive thereby any instruction, but that we must needs be moved and ravished therewith to sing praises unto his glorious name. Whatsoever he be then that shall show him self negligent herein, sufficiently enough declareth that he knoweth not what the word of God is, albeit he protest him self to be a Christian. Let us now come to those, which are not only dumb them selves: but that, which is also worse, which would shut up the mouths of others, to the end it might not be lawful for them too praise God. And yet forsooth these men are so shameless, as that they would notwithstanding be taken for good Christians: but by these means they declare them selves too be the deadly enemies of God, yea worse then the very devils. ⟨image 192⟩And why so? Forsooth they think it not enough that they have nothing profited in the school of God, neither yet are they contented to show the way, to do well, unto others: but they would have all the world to be like unto them selves, that there should never mention be made of praising God, & yet in the mean while, as I have already said, this word Christian shall stand them in never a penny. Now without all doubt. God disalloweth of all those, which will not give them selves to sing praises unto his majesty, and that will not stir up their neigh bours to do the like, that they might show them selves to have studied his word. But let us be well assured, that it is not enough, too open our mouth and to sing praises unto him with the tongue: but it must also come from a well affected heart. For David telleth us not here, that he will solemnize the praises of God: but in addressing him self unto God, he protesteth before him, that he will sing praises unto him. And in speaking this, he right well knoweth that his heart must needs be disposed thereto. Wherefore, when as we would magnify the name of God as appertaineth, let us not deliver it out with the mouth only: