The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the…The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the…

Moreover Saint Pauls intent (as I have declared already) is too exclude all counterfeiting, and that we should not hope too justify our case before God by ceremonies, or by popeholines (as they term ⟨p. 335⟩it) in making of long prayers and many circumstances, but suffer the spirit too bear sway. Wherefore first of all let us be so touched, as the spirit may be our master and teacher, and indite the things too us which we have too utter in calling upon our God: and secondly let our prayers proceed from the bottom of our hart, & let us put this saying of the Psalm in ure,¹ that we must sue unto our God in truth: for it is said that he is not near too any, but too such as have that quality. And not without cause is such exposition set down: for (as I have declared already) we be so much inclined too shifting, that (too our seeming) God ought too yield too us and too our nature: but it is clean contrary. Now then forasmuch as God perceiveth that men abuse his name after that fashion, and make prayers after their own manner, that is too say, prayers that are wrapped in hypocrisy and untruth, and have no substantialness nor soundness in them: he sayeth expressly, that we must not hope too be heard at his hand, nor too obtain any thing of him, except our prayers be ruled by a right meaning, that is too say, unless we pray with a hearty affection. Thus ye see what we have to remember upon that saying of Saint Paul. And that whereas he saith, Steadfastly, and with holding out throughout too the end: it is too express the better, that it is never out of season too call upon God. And even therefore is this added, because we would fain exempt our selves from our God. Wherein a man may well perceive how unperfect our minds are, and how destitute of wit and reason we be. For all our welfare consisteth in having access too our God, that we seek help at his hand, and too be short, in being near unto him, so as we be sure that he regardeth us, and hath a care of our welfare. And besides that, who is he that would not fain be heard? Yet notwithstanding, when we should pray unto God, it seemeth that we be haled to it as it were by force, and we should be ravished in love with it, as I have showed already.

Moreouer Saint Paules intent (as I haue declared alredie) is too exclude all counterfetting, and that wee should not hope too iustify our cace before God by ceremonies, or by popeholines (as they terme