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 furthermore let us mark well, what S. Paul setteth down here: for he useth not the single name of God, but sayeth, The father ⟨p. 136⟩of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom all kindred is named in heaven and in earth. Now hereby he showeth us first of all, how familiarly we may go unto God, as hath bin touched already. And the last sunday this text was declared sufficiently,¹ where he showed us, how we may come unto God. But there he did set faith in the first place. Seeing then that we have assurance that the gate is opened for us, we may be bold too go in unto God. And this faith engendereth trust in our hearts, and trust giveth boldness. These are the three steppes that Saint Paul did set down there. And here he showeth us how we obtain that privilege: that is too wit, because God hath not only his heavenly Majesty too be worshipped of us: (for although we ought too honour him in that respect, yet would it so astonish us, as too make us shun his presence as much as we possibly could:) but also addeth the title of father, and sayeth, that he taketh us for his children, by means whereof we he no more afraid of him, but may come fa••l•arly too him whensoever occasion serveth, forasmuch as he hath his arms open too receive us. This is an article well worthy too be minded. For if we cannot call upon God, what will become of us? in what plight shall we be? It is said, that all our welfare lieth in having our recourse unto God. Now if we think that God will hear us,² when we pray doubtingly and debatingly: we beguile our selves, as sayeth S. James. Therefore we must n•t be as reeds that are shaken with every wind, or like the waves of the sea. But we must be well and throughly assured, that God which calleth us too him will not disappoint us. Wherefore when we pray unto God, it must be with trust, that we shall not lose our labour. But how may we come by that? For behold, God hath […] incomprehensible […], & what a distance is there between him & us? Though we could […] above the clouds, yet could we not come nigh God, by reason of the infinite highness that is in him, for the heavens comprehend it not.