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…

when we goo about too pray unto God, let us bend our whole minds unto it, and let not our wits be entangled about other cares and affections, but let our coming unto it be as though we had broken all other bonds. That is the cause why mention is made of lifting up of our selves in our prayers and supplications. True it is that in offering our selves unto God, we must come with all lowliness: but yet must we lift up our hearts in such wise, as we may be after a sort in the presence of our God. That (say I) is the thing that is imported by the said diligentnesse.

when wee goo about too pray vntoo God, let vs bend our whole mynds vnto it, and let not our wittes bee intangled about other cares and affections, but let our comming vntoo it bee as though wee had broken all other bondes. That is the cause why mention is made of lifting vp of our selues in our prayers and supplications. Trew it is that in offering our selues vnto God, wee must come with all lowlinesse: but yit must wee lift vp our hartes in such wyse, as wee may bee after a sort in the prese•ce of our God. That (say I) is the thing that is imported by the sayd diligentnesse.

And he sayeth further, with all instance: which serveth still too show us, that if we intend too be well disposed too praying, we must not go too it lazily, yea and that if we follow that which our own nature showeth us, we shall be far of from coming at God. Therefore must every man enforce him. For seeing Saint Paul speaketh so, it is as much as if he said, My friends, ye shall find such a coldness in your selves, as ye shall never pray unto God, neither shall ye ever be willing too pray, except ye provoke and enforce your selves. For the Devil will always blear your eyes, too the end ye should not see what need ye have too pray unto God. And if ye lye sleeping still, it will cause your God too forsake you, seeing you be so thankless as too despise his benefits, and too yield him no honour for them, no nor too acknowledge that all your welfare proceedeth of him. For like lewd losels, we defile the benefits which God bestoweth upon us, unless we acknowledge that we have all things at his hand, yea even by craving all things that we want, of him, and also by yielding him thanks for the things that we received already. So then, let us learn too match our watchfulness with all instantness.