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…

IF we be oftentimes foolish & unadvised in a great many causes, it may chiefly appear when we mean to pray to God: for them if there be but one drop of wit or reason in us, it will show it self but we discover, our own folly in that behalf, more then in all the rest of our actions. And what is the reason For soothly we will behave our selves more modestly, whensoever we shall crave any thing at the hands of men, then when we come before the majesty of God: for we go on headlong thereto, not knowing what we ought too desire of him: but even pour out at all adventure whatsoever shall come into our mouths. And we should then t•e rather call to mind our lesson, to the end we might know the order rightly how to pray. For we profane the name of god, & show ourselves too much to contemn his majesty, if we beg at his hands any other thing than that▪ which he hath declared unto us to have liking off in such sort▪ as that his will, be always preferred, and our desires thereby chiefly ruled. Now we are here advertised, that above all things we ought to pray unto God that he will teach us, & cause us to understand his will, accordingly as he hath declared unto us in his word: & to open our eyes that we may do it, so that we might understand that which is comprehended therein.

IF we be oftentimes foolish & vnaduised in a great many causes, it may chiefly appeere whē we meane to pray to God: for thē if there be but one drop of wit or reason in vs, it wil shew it selfe but we discouer, our owne folly in that behalf, more then in al the rest of our actions. And what is the reason For sootli we wil behaue our selues more modestly, whensoeuer wee shall craue any thing at the handes of men, then when we come before the maiestie of God: for we go on hedlong thereto, not knowing what we ought too desire of him: but euen powre out at all aduenture whatsoeuer shall come into our mouthes. And we should then t•e rather call to minde our lesson, to the end we might know the order rightly how to pray. For we profane the name of god, & shew ourselues too much to contēne his maiestie, if we beg at his hands any other thing thē that▪ which he hath declared vnto vs to haue liking off in such sort▪ as that his will, be alwayes preferred, and our desires thereby chiefly ruled. Now we are heere aduertised, that aboue all thinges we ought to pray vnto God that he wil teach vs, & cause vs to vnderstand his wil, accordingly as he hath declared vnto vs in his worde: & to open our eies that we may doe it, so that wee might vnderstand that which is comprehended therin.