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…

Now in the third place David telleth us that he was very diligent in praying unto God: to wit: that he hoped even unto the last cast, as there are very many which do so, when as they see well enough that they can go no further, except God help them: and yet for all that they steppe back from him as much as in them lieth, and are never carried to the very point, with all their hearts to call upon God, without it be that they can neither will nor choose, and are driven even too their wits ends, as we say. David declareth that he was not so drowsy, for he sayeth, that he prevented the night watches, that he occupied him self, seeing that it was the true, and only refuge of the children of God, and the very faithful, to recommend them selves into his protection. Now he lastly declareth, that he continued it, that it was no sudden motion or blast, and afterward to wax cold again, as some do: and I would it pleased God that we might not practise it so often as we have done. But there is not that he amongst us which hath not found by experience that we are by and by tired in praying to God, and that we wax very cold so soon as we have poured out one only sigh and groan. For we think it enough, if we have set down our whole sum to God in a word, a and do suppose, that if we have made one only prayer, that we are discharged of all together, and that God will help us, if he think it good. Now David showeth unto us, that he persevered in calling upon the name of God. Lo here the four points which we have to note in this place, to the end that every of us might discharge our selves of them. For see from whence we must learn the manner to pray well: to wit, in the first place, not with having our mouth going, but we must lay open our hearts, and all our affections before the majesty of God, and pray in spiritual truth: and not only so, but we must also be inflamed with such a zeal, as that we be fully assured that he will both hear and help us. And for performance hereof, we must be touched to the quick ⟨p. 157⟩with the knowledge of our sins: and know that our estate is most accursed, if God hath not pity on us: and also what the salvation is which he hath promised us: we must have always these things in mind, to the end we might be the more careful, watchfully to call upon him:

Nowe in the third place Dauid telleth vs that he was very diligēt in praying vnto God: to wit: that he hoped euen vnto the last cast, as there are very many which doe so, when as they see welynough that they can go no further, except God help them: and yet for all that they steppe backe from him as much as in them lyeth, and are neuer carried to the very point, with all their heartes to call vpon God, without it bee that they can neither will nor choose, and are driuen euen too their wittes ends, as we say. Dauid declareth that he was not so drowsy, for he saieth, that he preuented the night watches, that hee occupied him selfe, seeing that it was the true, and onely refuge of the children of God, and the very faithfull, to recommend them selues into his protection. Nowe he lastly declareth, that he continued it, that it was no suddaine motion or blast, and afterward to waxe colde agarne, as some do: and I would it pleased God that we might not practize it so often as wee haue done. But there is not that hee amongst vs which hath not founde by experience that wee are by and by tyered in praying to God, and that wee waxe very colde so soone as we haue poured out one onely sigh and groane. For we thinke it inough, if we haue set down our whole summe to God in a worde, a and do suppose, that if we haue made one onely prayer, that we are discharged of all together, and that God will helpe vs, if hee thinke it good. Nowe Dauid sheweth vnto vs, that hee perseuered in calling vpon the name of God. Loe heere the foure pointes which we haue to note in this place, to the ende that euery of vs might discharge our selues of them. For see from whence we must learne the maner to pray wel: to wit, in the first place, not with hauing our mouth going, but we must lay open our heartes, and all our affections before the maiestie of God, and pray in spirituall truth: and not onely so, but we must also be enflamed with such a zeale, as that wee be fully assured that he will both heare and helpe vs. And for performance hereof, we must be touched to the quick