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…

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.

Moreouer, as wee are to call too minde the promises of God, when as wee are assayled by Satan and the vngodly: Let vs also note (as hath beene heeretofore treated of) that this is it whereon we must builde al our requests: For if we will earnestly pray vnto God, and obtaine that which wee pray for, we must not pray in the ayre, & say, O Lord I pray vnto thee for such a thing, and I would it might so come to passe. For this were ouer rash and too too great boldenesse to think to make God subiect to our willes, to briddle him as we list, and to desire him to graunte vs whatsoeuer shall please our appetites: but it is his worde that must leade vs, and be our Cresset: and we must referre our selues wholy to it, and altogither rest thereon. Beholde, say I, after what sort our prayers are allowed, to wit, whē as we pray not to God for that which seemeth best in our owne eyes, but when as we be fenced with that which he hath promised vs.

And this is it, wherein we differ from the Paynims and ⟨p. 46⟩Infidels. For we see that the Turks and Idolaters do greatly pray unto God. But after what manner pray they? Forsooth even at all adventure: so that they know not what they do. But contrariwise we must pray unto him, with full assurance that he will hear us. But from whence shall this certainty proceed, if we have not the trueth to go before us, and say: behold the Lord, who calleth us unto him? And then when we come unto him, this is no foolish presumption: But we come in such sort unto him, as he hath commanded us.