Now, if my readers derive any fruit and advantage from the labor which I

have bestowed in writing these Commentaries, I would have them to

understand that the small measure of experience which I have had by the

conflicts with which the Lord has exercised me, has in no ordinary degree

assisted me, not only in applying to present use whatever instruction

could be gathered from these divine compositions, but also in more easily

comprehending the design of each of the writers. And as David holds the

principal place among them, it has greatly aided me in understanding more

fully the complaints made by him of the internal afflictions which the

Church had to sustain through those who gave themselves out to be her

members, that I had suffered the same or similar things from the domestic

enemies of the Church. For although I follow David at a great distance, and

come far short of equaling him; or rather, although in aspiring slowly and

with great difficulty to attain to the many virtues in which he excelled, I

still feel myself tarnished with the contrary vices; yet if I have any things

in common with him, I have no hesitation in comparing myself with him.

In reading the instances of his faith, patience, fervor, zeal, and integrity, it

has, as it ought, drawn from me unnumbered groans and sighs, that I am so

far from approaching them; but it has, notwithstanding, been of very great

advantage to me to behold in him as in a mirror, both the commencement

of my calling, and the continued course of my function; so that I know the

more assuredly, that whatever that most illustrious king and prophet

suffered, was exhibited to me by God as an example for imitation. My

conditions no doubt, is much inferior to his, and it is unnecessary for me

to stay to show this. But as he was taken from the sheepfold, and elevated

to the rank of supreme authority; so God having taken me from my

originally obscure and humble condition, has reckoned me worthy of being

invested with the honorable office of a preacher and minister of the gospel.

When I was as yet a very little boy, my father had destined me for the

study of theology. But afterwards when he considered that the legal

profession commonly raised those who followed it to wealth this prospect

induced him suddenly to change his purpose. Thus it came to pass, that I

was withdrawn from the study of philosophy, and was put to the study

of law. To this pursuit I endeavored faithfully to apply myself in

obedience to the will of my father; but God, by the secret guidance of his

providence, at length gave a different direction to my course. And first,

since I was too obstinately devoted to the superstitions of Popery to be

easily extricated from so profound an abyss of mire, God by a sudden

conversion subdued and brought my mind to a teachable frame, which was

more hardened in such matters than might have been expected from one at

my early period of life Having thus received some taste and knowledge of

true godliness I was immediately inflamed with so intense a desire to make

progress therein, that although I did not altogether leave off other studies, I

yet pursued them with less ardor. I was quite surprised to find that before

a year had elapsed, all who had any desire after purer doctrine were

continually coming to me to learn, although I myself was as yet but a mere

novice and tyro. Being of a disposition somewhat unpolished and bashful,

which led me always to love the shade and retirement, I then began to seek

some secluded corner where I might be withdrawn from the public view;

but so far from being able to accomplish the object of my be desire, all my

retreats were like public schools. In short, whilst my one great object was

to live in seclusion without being known, God so led me about through

different turnings and changes, that he never permitted me to rest in any

place, until, in spite of my natural disposition, he brought me forth to

public notice.—Calvin writing of his conversion at the start of his commentary on the book of Psalms.