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 S. Paul sayeth, that he can do all things above our asking, ⟨p. 150⟩and our thinking. Not without cause hath he enclosed here all that belongeth too our salvation. For he that trusteth in God for one thing, will not miss too enter into debating, whether he will add a second benefit, or a third. That therefore is the cause why S. Paul will have us too look for all things at the hand of our God. And he sayeth, Above our asking. True it is that we must not fall asleep, when we would be succoured and governed at Gods hand, or be filled with his benefits: but if we believe in his word, we must also be moved too pray: for it is a true proof of our faith, when we resort so unto our God.¹ And for that cause is it said, that the faithful must discharge all their cares into his lap. For it is the true record of it, when at all times of our need, we resort too him, who will have us too seek all our welfare in him alone. The faithful therefore must be diligent in praying,² according as S. Paul sayeth in another text, where he exhorteth us too prayer and supplication, and setteth down this diligence also, too the intent we should have no slothfulness too pluck us back. But albeit we give over all our wits too praying unto God: yet notwithstanding, considering the necessities that compel us too resort unto him, God must be fain too outgo our requests, and too do much more for us than we require. And for proof thereof, when any (of the faithful) feels his own infirmities, he will straight ways humble himself, and thereupon repair unto God, and that not for once only, but every minute of an hour. And afterward he will resort to him both for his body and his soul, and think thus: Alas, yet want I such a thing, I must too him again. Lo how the faithful do throughly sift out the miseries and wants whereunto they be subject, thereby too provoke themselves too pray unto God. But do not we think that the devil hath a hundred thousand wiles which we perceive not? And God must be fain too provide for them, or else what would become of us? For although we feel that diverse things do pinch us, yet are there many other things that are unknown and hidden from us. So then it will always be found true, that God outgoeth all our prayers, and all our wishes. Mark that for one point.