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…

We have seen this morning by what entrance we must offer our prayers unto God, if we intend too be heard at his hand, and too have full assurance that our prayers shall be well liked: namely that Jesus Christ be our guide and advocate, and make intercession for us, so as we speak not but as it were by his mouth. Now he hath set it down for a rule in praying unto God,¹ that we must call him father. And how dare men be so bold or presumptuous, as to call God their father? Surely we can allege no right whereby too claim any such dignity. For not even the Angels have it, but by means of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then is it unpossible for us too pray too God, as he commandeth us, and after the manner which he teacheth us in his word except Jesus Christ be our advocate. For on whether side are the Angels akin too us? shall the Virgin Mary be found to be our great Aunt or Grandmother? What are the Apostles? Too be short, we must resort too our Lord Jesus Christ, too have his spiritual kindred, whereby God avoweth us for his adopted children. And when we once have that, we must no more doubt whether God will hear our prayers or no, seeing we come not to him upon a foolish rashness, by presuming upon our own natural reason or selflyking, but with obedience too his commandment. Again, we have his promise, which can never deceive us. Contrariwise all they that think too obtain favour at Gods hand by any other mean, do but run astray, and have shut them selves out of the door already. And therefore there is now none excuse, but that we must simply hold the way which the Gospel showeth us, to come unto God by, that is too wit, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, without adding of any other creature, as we see done by the whole world. In deed they that pester up a throng of patrons and advocates, (as they term them,) hope too be well welcome unto God. But by what warrant? Who hath promised them, that God will accept their devotion, and all that they offer unto him? For it is not in us too appoint officers in heaven. In a Court of Justice of the world, it might well be a matter of course (as they term it,) and it might lie in the power of a Judge, too give leave too whom he listeth, too plead mens cases, too the intent there might be ⟨image 157⟩no confusion.

WEe haue seene this morning by what enterance wee must offer our prayers vntoo God, if we intend too be heard at his hand, and too haue full assurance that our prayers shalbee well lyked: namely that Iesus Christ bee our guyde and aduocate, and make intercessiō for vs, so as we speake not but as it were by his mouth. Now he hath set it downe for a rule in praying vnto God,