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…

This protestation is worth the noting: For we are admonished, why it is that men so greatly flatter them selves in their own follies and devices, and make themselves believe, that they will make their Prayers unto God albeit they rest not upon him, trust not unto him, neither yet follow that which he hath commanded them, but only their own imaginations.

This protestation is woorth the noting: For wee are admonished, why it is that men so greatly flatter thē selues in their own follyes and deuices, and make thēselues beleue, that they will make their Prayers vnto God albeit they rest not vpon him, trust not vnto him, neither yet followe that which hee hath commaunded them, but onely their owne imaginations.

And that forsooth in such sort, as that they think a man should offer them great wrong, if he said, that all is lost labour which they have bestowed: & that they greatly tormented themselves to no purpose, except they did know that God heard them. It is most true, that every one will say, And how so I beseech you? wherefore will not God think well of that which I do, since it is my final intent to to serve him? no, no, God forceth not of all this. And what is the cause that men so arrogantly strive and spurn against God? It is because they call not their ways too remembrance: For it they had this consideration and wisdom, to look narrowly unto their doings, and to think thus with them selves. Howe shall I do? In what case am I? I must not go astray, but keep a sure and certain way and good mean: and to consider how to live: and above all, I must do thus much, as that God be not disappointed of the sovereignty which he hath over his.

And that forsooth in such sorte, as that they thinke a man should offer them great wrong, if hee sayd, that all is loste labour which they haue bestowed: & that they greatly tormented themselues to no purpose, except they did knowe that God hearde them. It is most true, that euery one will say, And howe so I beseech you? wherefore wil not God think wel of that which I doe, since it is my finall intent to to serue him? no, no, God forceth not of all this. And what is the cause that men so arrogauntly striue and spurne against God? It is because they call not their wayes too remembraunce: For it they had this consideration and wisdome, to looke narrowly vnto their dooings, and to think thus with them selues. Howe shall I doe? In what case am I? I must not goe astray, but keepe a sure and certaine way and good meane: and to consider how to liue: and aboue all, I must do thus much, as that God be not disappoynted of the soueraintie which he hath ouer his.