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…

The third point which we have here to note, is, the firmness and constancy in this our desire. And see here why David is not contented with this saying, that his soul is broken out: but he sayeth, Always, As if he should have said, this was not a blast of wind, but a rooted affection in his heart, and that he persevered therein. Now these three things are most necessary: For we see in the first place that we are as it were by nature inclined to vanity, because that being so addicted unto the world, we think no whit at all of heaven. We ought therefore to be so much the more ⟨image 28⟩very attentive to this doctrine, & to have a burning desire to follow the word of God: and besides this our affection ought to be so vehement, as that it might be able to have the dominion over all our affections, which hinder us to cleave unto our God, and even to be marvellously ravished therewith. Now it had need to be mightily strengthened with the power of the spirit of God: For our lusts being too too mad and furious, if God stretched not forth his arm unto it, what should become thereof? And put the case that we had a good desire, surely it would very soon vanish away in us. We must be wonderful fervent therein, and afterward, when we hall have such a good and steadfast affection, we must be wonderfully in love with the word of God, not for a day, nor yet for a short time, but even so long as we live. It followeth soon after.

The third point which we haue here to note, is, the firmenes and constancie in this our desire. And see here why Dauid is not contented with this saying, that his soule is broken out: but he saieth, Alwayes, As if he should haue saide, this was not a blaste of wynde, but a rooted affection in his heart, and that he perseuered therein. Nowe these three things are most necessarie: For we see in the first place that we are as it were by nature enclined to vanitie, bicause that being so addicted vnto the world, we thinke no whit at all of heauen. We ought therefore to bee so much the more ⟨image 28⟩very attentiue to this doctrine, & to haue a burning desire to follow the word of God: and besides this our affection ought to be so vehement, as that it might be able to haue the dominion ouer all our affections, which hinder vs to cleaue vnto our God, and euē to be marueilously rauished therewith. Now it had neede to be mightely strengthened with the power of the spirite of God: For our lustes beeing too too mad and furious, if God stretched not foorth his arme vnto it, what should become thereof? And put the case that we had a good desire, surely it woulde very soone vanish away in vs. We must be wōderfull feruent therin, and afterward, when wee hall haue such a good and stedfast affection, we must be wonderfully in loue with the word of God, not for a day, nor yet for a short time, but euen so long as we liue. It followeth soone after.