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…

In this verse he showeth that after he hath been well instructed, that he him self will also travel to bring others by little and little, to the like knowledge.

In this verse he sheweth that after he hath beene well instructed, that he him selfe will also trauell to bring others by little and little, to the like knowledge.

Lo here his full pretence. But yet the better to express his affection that he hath too draw on his brethren and neighbours, to the knowledge of God and of his truth, he useth this word, to Sing, not contenting him self to speak after a plain manner: but expressing, that he will sing aloud and clear: that he will make his word to resound, that it ⟨p. 185⟩might be heard, yea that it should be a thing as notoriously known, as the very common songs. Now since it is so, that David speaketh after this sort, let us now see what our duty is. For as I have already said heretofore, he bragged not of his own power: but the holy Ghost hath set him before us in stead of a glass, to the end it might serve us for our better instruction. Now when as we shall have known the truth of our good God, what is there then for us to do? Forsooth, we must not hold fast this treasure as it were locked up in a chest, but communicate his graces unto others: yea and do the best we can, to draw on the miserable ignorant people, too the service of God: and too carry about with us the doctrine, to publish it to all men, when as it is committed unto us as a treasure, and to bestow the gift which we have received, upon our neighbours, according to that measure of faith, which God hath given us. Howbeit this order is far of from us: For if there be but three words of the word of God spoken, we will soon be weary of it, may, we shall not hear it spoken of at this day. It is so far of, that it is talked of▪ both at the table, in the way, and every where, as that we can hardly abide, that even for fashions sake, the preaching of it be kept: and although it be here lawful too speak in the pulpit one hour in the name of God, yet shall you have a great number of dogs which will not stick even to girn at it, as if God were too too much privileged. It is very far of to have every man to apply him self to sing the commandments of God, and his whole word, and for us to have our ears beaten with it. Now whence cometh this unthankfulness? verily because we never tasted of that which David here addeth, All thy statutes sayeth he, are righteous. If we did throughly know, what equity and pureness there is in the statutes of God, without doubt we should be more earnest, to learn, hold, and show them, unto others, then heretofore we have been.