Sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the.X.Commandments of the Law, given of GodSermons of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the.X.Commandementes of the Lawe, geuen of God

It remaineth now, that we speak of the second point, wherein we have before in a word said, that the Sabaoth day was a civil order to exercise the faithful in the service of God. For this day was appointed to assemble them together to hear the doctrine of the law preached, to receive the sacraments, to call on the name of God. And touching these points, it is common to us with the ancient people of the Jews. For although the figure is ceased, (I mean that whereof Saint Paul speaketh in the Epistle to the Colossians:) yet notwithstanding, this which appertaineth to civil order, abideth still, and hath his use. And this policy what is it? It is to assemble our selves together in the name of God. True it is, this ought to be done every day, but for because of our infirmity, or rather slothfulness, it was expedient that one day should be chosen out. If we were so fervent in the love of God as we should be, it should not need to ordain one only day in the week, but all would both evening and morning assemble themselves together, to the end we might be edified more and more in the word of God. And in deed this exercise were more than needful for us, considering that we are all so inclined unto evil, that we need not any thing to lead us on further in wickedness, and to loose the bridle more loose unto us. It is needful then that we assemble our selves together on every day in the name of GOD. But what? We see that with much a doe men will assemble themselves together on the Sunday, and that many are to be holden to this order by force and violence. Having then such an infirmity in us, let us know that this order was not prescribed only unto the Jews, of observing one certain day, in the which they should come together: but to us also as common with them. But yet herewithall we have to note, that this is not all: and that this were a very bare and naked thing, that our hands only, and our feet should rest, and that nothing else should be done. What must we then do? We ⟨p. 36⟩ought to apply this rest to a more high and excellent thing: we ought to cease from those works which might hinder the works of GOD, let us from calling on of his name, stay us from exercising of our selves in his holy word.

It remaineth now, that we speake of the second point, wherein we haue before in a worde said, that the Sabbaoth day was a ciuil order to exercise the faithfull in the seruice of God. For this day was appointed to assemble them together to heare the doctrine of the lawe preached, to receiue the sacramentes, to call on the name of God. And touching these pointes, it is common to vs with the auncient people of the Iewes. For although the figure is ceased, (I meane that whereof Saint Paule speaketh in the Epistle to the Colossians:) yet notwithstanding, this which apperteineth to ciuil order, abideth stil, and hath his vse. And this policie what is it? It is to assemble our selues together in the name of God. True it is, this ought to be done euerie day, but for because of our infirmitie, or rather slouthfulnesse, it was expedient that one day should bee chosn out. If we were so seruent in the loue of God as we should be, it should not neede to ordeine one onely day in the weeke, but all would both euening and morning assemble themselues together, to the ende wee might be edisted more and more in the worde of God. And in deede this exercise were more than needfull for vs, considering that we are all so enclined vnto euill, that we neede not any thing to leade vs on further in wickednesse, and to loose the bridle more loose vnto vs. It is needefull then that we assemble our selues together on euerie day in the name of GOD. But what? We see that with much a doe men will assemble themselues together on the Sunday, and that many are to bee holden to this order by force and violence. Hauing then such an infirmitie in vs, let vs knowe that this order was not prescribed onely vnto the Iewes, of obseruing one certeine day, in the which they should come together: but to vs also as common with them. But yet herewithall wee haue to note, that this is not all: and that this were a verie bare and naked thing, that our handes onely, and our feete should rest, and that nothing els should bee done. What must we then doe? Wee