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…

Wherein he showeth that he liveth not as of him self, but desireth it of God. And afterward, he addeth the reason, saying after this manner, I am very sore afflicted. Whereby he declareth unto us, that we are not able too relieve and maintain our selves, when as our strength faileth us, but that it is God which must put to his helping hand. And besides we may be assured that he will help us, and be ready to restore us, so that we will desire him, and call upon him, & have recourse unto his goodness. Lo here a mighty comfort for all the faithful, when as they find them selves to be so without strength, as that they feel them selves too faint, too be clean cast down, and to see nothing else in them selves but death: yet may they be fully assured & resolved, that God will always be their watchman, too restore and quicken them. And why so? To wit, according to that which David addeth when he saith, According to thy promises. Then it followeth, that God hath promised too restore and quicken his, when as they shall be in death. And therefore we shall never be able too make our request in faith, as David here hath done, if that we have not the promises of God. For, as we have before said, it is a foolhardiness in men to put forth them selves too pray unto God as they list, without being sure and certain of his will before.

Wherin he sheweth that he liueth not as of him self, but defiereth it of God. And afterward, he addeth the reason, saying after this manner, I am very sore aflicted. Whereby hee declareth vnto vs, that we are not able too releeue and maintaine our selues, when as our strength fayleth vs, but that it is God which must put to his helping hand. And besides we may be assured that he will helpe vs, and be ready to restore vs, so that we will desire him, and call vpon him, & haue recourse vnto his goodnesse. Loe heere a mightie comforte for all the faithful, when as they finde them selues to bee so without strength, as that they feele them selues too fainte, too be cleane cast down, and to see nothing else in them selues but death: yet may they be fully assured & resolued, that God will alwayes be their watchman, too restore and quicken them. And why so? To wit, according to that which Dauid addeth when he sayth, According to thy promises. Then it followeth, that God hath promised too restore and quicken his, when as they shall be in death. And therefore wee shall neuer be able too make our request in faith, as Dauid heere hath doone, if that wee haue not the promises of God. For, as we haue before said, it is a foolehardines in men to put foorth them selues too pray vnto God as they liste, without beeing sure and certaine of his will before.