Two and twenty sermons of Master John Calvin In which sermons is most religiously…Two and twentie sermons of Maister Iohn Caluin In which sermons is most religiously…

And our Saviour Christ also, who is the very true pattern and mirror of all the Children of God hath sustained & abidden such combats. Very well (said they unto him) he trusteth in God, Let him now see whether God will hear him or not. Let us then note, that David hath not devised and made here any vain speculations, as an idle body might do, which never had been tempted nor distressed. But being so mocked by his enemies, that his faith seemed to be overthrown, and he him self in great hazard utterly to be destroyed, then came he for refuge to the promises of God, saying: My God, thou haste given me thy word, which cannot fail me: Lo wherein is all hope and trust. Even so also ought we to follow this doctrine, too wit, when the world on the one side shall deride and scorn us, because we have over lightly credited God, and that Satan shall travel all he can too turn us clean away from the certainty which we have had: yet let us not cease too say, O Lord, it is thou which hast spoken, and in thee is all our hope and trust.

And our Sauiour Christ also, who is the very true patern and mirrour of all the Children of God hath sustained & abiden such combates. Very well (said they vnto him) hee trusteth in God, Let him nowe see whether God will heare him or not. Let vs then note, that Dauid hath not deuised and made here any vaine speculations, as an idle body might doe, which neuer had beene tempted nor distressed. But beeing so mocked by his enemyes, that his faith seemed to be ouerthrowne, and he him selfe in great hazarde vtterly to be destroyed, then came he for refuge to the promises of God, saying: My God, thou haste giuen mee thy worde, which cannot fayle me: Loe wherein is all hope and trust. Euen so also ought we to followe this doctrine, too wit, when the worlde on the oneside shall deride and scorne vs, because we haue ouer lightly credited God, and that Satan shall trauel all he can too turne vs cleane away from the certaintie which wee haue had: yet let vs not cease too say, O Lord, it is thou which hast spoken, and in thee is all our hope and trust.

Moreover, as we are to call too mind the promises of God, when as we are assailed by Satan and the ungodly: Let us also note (as hath been heretofore treated of) that this is it whereon we must build all our requests: For if we will earnestly pray unto God, and obtain that which we pray for, we must not pray in the air, & say, O Lord I pray unto thee for such a thing, and I would it might so come to pass. For this were over rash and too too great boldness to think to make God subject to our wills, to bridle him as we list, and to desire him to grant us whatsoever shall please our appetites: but it is his word that must lead us, and be our Cresset: and we must refer our selves wholly to it, and altogether rest thereon. Behold, say I, after what sort our prayers are allowed, to wit, when as we pray not to God for that which seemeth best in our own eyes, but when as we be fenced with that which he hath promised us.