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 thereupon he requireth also that men should pray for him. Ye shall pray for me also, (sayeth he) that God give me boldness in opening my mouth, so as I may utter the secret of the Gospel accordingly. When Saint Paul commendeth him self too the prayers of his neighbours, thereby he showeth well in what humility we ought too walk. For he did not counterfeit in exhorting the Ephesians too such praying. He protesteth before God and his Angels, that he had need of it. But now let us compare our selves with Saint Paul. What man is of such ability, that he can forbear too be succoured by the prayers of his neighbours, when Saint Paul exempteth not him self from it? Now then, let every man in his praying unto God, desire too be made partaker of all the prayers that are made throughout the Church,¹ both generally and particularly. In deed this promise shall always stand true, that God will be near at hand too all such as call upon him. And Jonah failed not too be succoured of God,² though he were in the whales belly. Now therefore, when we be forsaken of men, when we be as good as dead, and the remembrance of us is as good as buried: yet will not God cease to regard us, and too cast his eye upon us too succour us, according too this saying, that the eyes of God are always upon them that fear him,³ and his ears open too such as repair unto him. Notwithstanding, too the intent too humble us the better,⁴ our Lord telleth us, that we have need one of another's help, and that there should be an intercommoning among us. And besides this, there is also another reason, which is, that he will keep our charity occupied. Wherefore, let us learn too show both by our almsdeeds, and by our counsel, and by all other helps, that none of us is given too him self, nor too his, too own private profit: but that after as God hath linked us together, every of us coveteth too succour our members, and too communicate together in our prayers & supplications. For our commending one of us of another after that manner unto God, is the chief duty of charity: And therefore it caused Saint Paul too desire the Ephesians expressly too pray for him.

And therupon he requyreth also that men should pray for him. Yee shall pray for mee also, (sayeth he) that God giue mee boldnesse in opening my mouth, so as I may vtter the secret of the Gospell accordingly. When Saint Paule commendeth him self too the prayers of his neyghbours, therby he sheweth well in what humilitie wee ought too walk. For he did not counterfet in exhorting the Ephesians too such praying. He protesteth before God and his Angels, that he had neede of it. But now let vs compare our selues with Saint Paule. What man is of such abilttie, that he can forbeare too bee succored by the prayers of his neyghbours, when Saint Paule exempteth not him self from it? Now then, let euery man in his praying vntoo God, desyre too bee made parttaker of all the prayers that are made throughout the Churche,