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…

Since then it is so, O Lord, that thou haste already begun so gently too entreat me, I beseech thee that thou wilt continue it.

Since then it is so, O Lorde, that thou haste already begun so gently too intreate mee, I beseech thee that thou wilte continue it.

Now we see what a kind or vain of speaking we must ⟨image 87⟩use, to be assured that God will hear our requests: to wit, that we must lay before him his graces, which we have already received of him. For that ought to make us to hope that like as he hath begun, so likewise will he go through with it, until such time as he hath brought his work to perfect end. Now, if we desire god to give us understanding to comprehend his law, inasmuch as he hath made us mortal men we have so much the better occasion to do it, in telling him that he hath adopted us to be his children, & taketh us to be as of his household. Now, when as we have this advantage and privilege, our confidence ought to be so much the more certain, that we should not doubt but that he would augment those graces which he before had bestowed upon us. And so, to the end we might profit by this place, we have to gather briefly three points: The first and principal which we are to wish is this, that God will instruct us in his law, that we be not so given either to the goods of this world, or else to the pleasures of the body, and to all the rest, but that we might always have regard to our spiritual health.

Nowe we see what a kinde or vaine of speaking we must ⟨image 87⟩vse, to be assured that God will heare our requestes: to wit, that we must lay before him his graces, which we haue already receiued of him. For that ought to make vs to hope that like as hee hath begunne, so likewise will hee goe through with it, vntill such time as hee hath brought his work to perfect end. Now, if we desire god to giue vs vnderstanding to comprehēd his law, inasmuch as he hath made vs mortal men we haue so much the better occasiō to do it, in telling him that he hath adopted vs to be his children, & taketh vs to be as of his housholde. Now, when as we haue this aduantage and priuiledge, our confidence ought to be so much the more certain, that we shuld not dout but that hee would augment those graces which he before had bestowed vpon vs. And so, to the end we might profite by this place, we haue to gather briefely three poyntes: The firste and principall which we are to wishe is this, that God will instruct vs in his lawe, that we be not so giuen either to the goods of this worlde, or else to the pleasures of the body, and to all the reste, but that we might alwayes haue regard to our spirituall health.