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…

See then whereon it is that we must settle our confidence, if we will be resolved that he will hear us. And this is such ⟨p. 161⟩a doctrine, I tell you, as we ought well to hold and keep. For in very deed, under this word, Promise, this must altogether be under stood. For what is it that induceth God to help us, and to say, come unto me, without he look that we would crave something at his hands? What is the cause that our God presenteth himself thus unto us? Are they our merits? have we any ways on our part deserved, that he should be so loving and kind unto us? No without all doubt. We must then needs conclude, that the promises do spring out from this fountain even his mere mercy. And therefore it is not without cause that David, after he hath spoken of the promises of God, declareth here that he desireth not to be heard, but in this respect, That God is good and merciful. As if he should have said, O Lord, if any man inquire the cause why thou hast heard me, and haste pity on me, I am able to say nothing as touching mine own person, but that I justly deserve too be rejected of thee, but thou hast taken the matter and cause unto thine own goodness and righteousness. Now it followeth soon after,

See then wheron it is that we must settle our confidence, if we will be resolued that he will heare vs. And this is such ⟨p. 161⟩a doctrine, I tell you, aswe ought well to holde and keepe. For in very deede, vnder this worde, Promise, this must altogither be vnder stoode. For what is it that induceth God to helpe vs, and to saye, come vnto me, without hee looke that wee would craue something at his handes? What is the cause that our God presenteth himselfe thus vnto vs? Are they our merites? haue we any wayes on our parte deserued, that he shoulde be so louing and kinde vnto vs? No without all doubt. We must then needes conclude, that the promises do spring out from this fountaine euen his meere mercie. And therefore it is not without cause that Dauid, after hee hath spoken of the promises of God, declareth heere that he desireth not to bee heard, but in this respect, That God is good and merciful. As if he shoulde haue sayde, O Lorde, if any man inquire the cause why thou hast hearde me, and haste pittie on me, I am able to say nothing as touching mine owne person, but that I iustly deserue too bee reiected of thee, but thou hast taken the matter and cause vnto thine owne goodnesse and righteousnesse. Now it followeth soone after,