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…

There is nothing then but our unthankfulness which hath shut the gate against God, so that his graces can have no access nor entrance into us. It is very true, that he will say enough unto us, but we will stop our ears: he will make us fair promise enough, but we will soon forget them: or else if we keep them in mind, it shall be but a ranging imagination, neither shall it have any deep print, or yet lively root in us. Because therefore, that we esteem not of the promises of God, lo the reason why we are so suddenly cast down, even with the least temptation that may come. Howe exercise we our faith in prayers? what readiness and zeal is there at this day amongst Christians in calling upon the name of God? Alas it is so cold and feeble as it can not be more. And so see why God hath plucked back his hand from us, because of our infidelity, so that we feel not his help as we should. The more deeply therefore ought we to consider of this sentence here, when David declareth that he was clean dried up, and yet for all that forgot not the promises of God.

There is nothing then but our vnthankefulnesse which hath shut the gate against God, so that his graces can haue no accesse nor entraunce into vs. It is very true, that he will say enough vnto vs, but we will stope our eares: he wil make vs fayre promise enough, but we will soone forget them: or els if we keepe them in minde, it shalbe but a raunging imagination, neither shall it haue any deepe print, or yet liuely roote in vs. Bicause therefore, that wee esteeme not of the promises of God, loe the reason why wee are so suddenly cast downe, euen with the least temptation that may come. Howe exercise we our faith in prayers? what readinesse and zeale is there at this daye amongst Christians in calling vpon the name of God? Alas it is so colde and feeble as it can not be more. And so see why God hath pluckt backe his hand from vs, bicause of our infidelitie, so that we feele not his helpe as we should. The more depely therefore ought we to consider of this sentence here, when Dauid declareth that he was cleane dried vp, and yet for all that forgot not the promises of God.

Let us now go and vaunt our selves to be good Christians, that we have greatly profited in the Gospel, and yet when as we shall be touched with any little, yea, and that with a very light affliction, we shall be so amazed as it is wonder. Alas what should become of us, if we should be as David protesteth he was? that God threatened us through stitch, that there were but one drop of substance of life, and that it should seem that we were even as it were dead. If then there were such a kind of parched dryness in us, what should become of it? But what? herein resteth the fault, that every man flattereth him self, and we also think that GOD should submit him self to our flatteries,