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…

So then, it cannot possibly be, that this was in David his own hand and power, to keep the word of God. And he showeth it to be so in this which followeth, O Lord open thou mine eyes. As if he should have said, Alas deer father, it is so far off that I am able to keep thy word, as that I should not be able to understand any whit thereof, if thou guidest me not thereto: For it is thou which must both begin the same, & also perform it wholly in me. This is the way and means for us to understand what to do: For many there are which know the thing that is good, and yet for all that they utterly refuse it. Now David declareth, that he is not only void of all power too keep the word of God: but also that he is without all understanding, except it be given him by the holy Ghost. Let us note well who it is that speaketh Even David a most excellent Prophet. And yet for all that we see that he declareth (yea and that boldly) him self to be ignorant, without GOD instructeth him: Neither doth he here speak of any worldly instruction, as we would imagine of the things which we knew nor ⟨image 25⟩of before. David confesseth, that all that, would serve him to no purpose at all, without God, added thereunto a notabler or more excellent thing: to wit, that he did enlighten him with his holy spirit.

So then, it cannot possibly bee, that this was in Dauid his owne hand and power, to keep the woorde of God. And he sheweth it to be so in this which followeth, O Lorde open thou mine eyes. As if hee should haue saide, Alas deere father, it is so farre off that I am able to keepe thy worde, as that I should not be able to vnderstand any whit thereof, if thou guidest mee not thereto: For it is thou which must both beginne the same, & also performe it wholy in me. This is the way and meanes for vs to vnderstande what to doe: For many there are which knowe the thinge that is good, and yet for all that they vtterly refuse it. Nowe Dauid declareth, that he is not onely voyde of all power too keepe the word of God: but also that hee is without all vnderstanding, except it be giuen him by the holy Ghost. Let vs note well who it is that speaketh Euen Dauid a most excellent Prophet. And yet for all that wee see that hee declareth (yea and that boldely) him selfe to bee ignoraunte, without GOD iustructeth him: Neither dooth hee heere speake of any worldely iustruction, as wee woulde imagine of the thinges whiche wee knewe nor ⟨image 25⟩