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…

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.

And he sayeth further, with all instance: which serueth still too shewe vs, that if wee intend too bee wel disposed too praying, wee must not go too it lazily, yea and that if wee followe that which our owne nature sheweth vs, wee shal bee farre of from comming at God. Therefore must euery man inforce him. For seeyng Saint Paule speaketh so, it is as much as if he sayd, My freendes, yee shall fynde such a coldnesse in your selues, as yee shall neuer pray vntoo God, nother shall yee euer bee willing too pray, except ye prouoke and inforce your selues. For the Diuell will alwayes bleare your eyes, too the end yee should not see what neede yee haue too pray vntoo God. And if yee lye sleeping still, it will cause your God too forsake you, seeyng you bee so thanklesse as too despyze his benefites, and too yeeld him no honour for them, no nor too acknowledge that all your welfare proceedeth of him. For lyke leaud lozels, wee defyle the benefytes which God bestoweth vppon vs, vnlesse wee acknowledge that wee haue all things at his hand, yea euen by crauing all thinges that wee want, of him, and also by yeelding him thankes for the things that wee receyued already. So then, let vs learne too match our watchfulnesse with all instantnesse.