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…

Now forasmuch as it is hard for us too be brought too pray well unto God: Saint Paul here setteth us forth the thing out of our own persons, which ought too persuade us: that is too say, that we be bound too pray unto God, not only for our selves, that is too say, every man for himself: but also too have a care of our neighbours, and to respect them also. It is true that if we considered our own miseries well, and the great number of sins that are in us, and the great need which we have to be succoured at Gods hand: we should have cause enough without going out of our selves, too employ our selves in prayer and supplication, yea though we did nothing else all our life long but sigh and lament before God for our offences, and pray him to reach us his hand, too the end that Satan might not overcome us. As I said, we should have matter enough in our selves. But now that we must extend our prayers further, that is too wit, too the whole Church of God, and understand that he will not have me too think only upon my self, but also too be mindful of all his chosen, inasmuch as he hath knit me too them, so as I must endeavour too comprehend them in my prayers as much as is possible for me: seeing (say I) that we be resolved hereof: it must needs be that we be too blockish, if we be not touched yet more to the quick, and set on fire with this carefulness that is spoken of here, and therewithal continue in the same.

Now forasmuch as it is hard for vs too bee brought too pray well vntoo God: Saint Paule heere setteth vs foorth the thing out of our owne persons, which ought too perswade vs: that is too say, that wee bee bound too pray vntoo God, not onely for our selues, that is too say, euery man for himselfe: but also too haue a care of our neyghbours, and to respect them also. It is trew that if wee considered our owne miseries well, and the great number of sinnes that are in vs, and the great neede which we haue to be succored at Gods hād: we should haue cause ynough without going out of our selues, too imploy our selues in prayer and supplication, yea though wee did nothing else al our lyfe long but sygh and lament before God for our offences, and pray him to reach vs his hand, too the end that Satan might not ouercome vs. As I sayd, wee should haue matter ynough in our selues. But now that wee must extend our prayers further, that is too wit, too the whole Church of God, and vnderstand that he will not haue mee too thinke alonly vppon my selfe, but also too bee myndfull of all his chozen, inasmuch as he hath knit mee too them, so as I must indeuer too comprehend them in my prayers as much as is possible for mee: seeing (say I) that wee bee resolued herof: it must needs bee that we be too blockish, if we be not touched yit more to the quicke, and set on fyre with this carefulnesse that is spoken of here, and therwithal continue in the same.