Sermons of M. John Calvin upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the GalatiansSermons of M. Iohn Caluine vpon the Epistle of Saincte Paule to the Galathians

sometimes we be so dismayed at it through the overpressing of our miseries and afflictions, that God seemeth too be estranged from us, and we cannot utter one word of prayer unto God. And therefore let us receive that which S. Paul sayeth: namely that the spirit helpeth our infirmities. And so let us hold out still and pray unto God without ceasing, and if we be speechless, or do stutte, and cannot utter any one piece of our mind to the purpose, but be entangled with many impediments: well, howsoever we fare, let Gods spirit thrust us forward still, and let us stick fast to this ground, that God is nevertheless our fa•••, and let us flee too him for refuge, ⟨p. 189⟩and though we do it not so frankly as were requisite, but be overweighed with the heaviness of our griefs, yet whatsoever come of it, let us go on forward still, and not shut our selves out of the gate through our own default, but hold on still in praying to our God, assuring our selves that he will have pity upon us in the end. Thus ye see what we have to consider here when mention is made of the spirit of boldness or trustfulness, whereby we may cry [unto God,] because we be sure of our adoption. Let us not think that this can be fully in us, for there are many vices which we be not yet rid of. Again there remaineth unbelief, which if it be not throughly rooted in us, hath notwithstanding many strings too hold us back with, so as we must be fain to strive against them. But yet in the mean while, we must be fully resolved that God is our father: and afterward according too our measure and ability, let us keep onward to the mark that is set forth here. And it is one of the greatest controversies that we have with the Papists in these days. For they say we cannot be sure that God loveth us, and that it is a case which ought to hang in suspense whether he love us or hate us. But by this means they utterly deface the true manner and fashion of praying. For we know how the Scripture sayeth, that we cannot pray without faith,¹ and S. James sayeth, let not such a man think that ever he shall be heard, that is to wit, such a one as cometh like a wavering reed that is shaken too and fro with every wind. For we must believe that God is faithful in his promises, and that we shall not be disappointed in coming unto him, because he hath bidden us come.

sometimes wee bee so dismayed at it through the ouerpressing of our miseries and afflictions, that God seemeth too bee estraunged from vs, and wee cannot vtter one woord of prayer vnto God. And therefore let vs receiue that which S. Paule sayeth: namely that the spirit helpeth our infirmities. And so let vs holde out still and pray vnto God without ceassing, and if wee bee speechlesse, or do stutte, and cannot vtter any one peece of our minde to the purpose, but bee intangled with many impedimentes: well, howsoeuer wee fare, let Gods spirite thrust vs foreward still, and let vs sticke fast to this ground, that God is neuerthelesse our fa, and let vs flee too him for refuge,