John Calvin: a prayer from Jonah

In my study for the last two weeks at Brooklife (“A Second Chance” and “What a Pity“), I came across a lot of material that never made it into my messages.

Here is a prayer written by John Calvin, one of the fathers of the Reformation and author of Institutes of the Christian Religion, that is taken from the end of his commentary on Jonah. While the language is archaic, the flow of the prayer is beautiful.

Grant, Almighty God, that as thou hast, in various ways, testified, and daily continuest to testify, how dear and precious to thee are mankind, and as we enjoy daily so many and so remarkable proofs of thy goodness and favour, – O grant, that we may learn to rely wholly on thy goodness, many examples of which thou settest before us, and which thou wouldest have us continually to experience, that we may not only pass through our earthly course, but also confidently aspire to the hope of that blessed and celestial life which is laid up for us in heaven, through Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Commentaries on the Twelve Minor Prophets – Jonah)