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

But now let us consider, whether they which call themselves Christians, acquit themselves in this point, as were requisite. A great part of men think they have the Sunday the better to attend on their worldly affairs, and they reserve to themselves this day, as if they had no other to deliberate for the whole week to come. Now, if the bell shall ring to a Sermon, they think they have no other thing to do, but to think on their business, and to make their account of this, and of that. Others glut themselves by rioting, and are shut up in their houses, because they dare not show a manifest contempt of their duty in the open streets. So that the Sunday is to them but a retreat, to withdraw themselves from the Church and congregation of GOD. By this one may see, what affection we have toward all Christianity, and the service of GOD, seeing that by this which was given us for an aide and help to draw nearer unto GOD, we take occasion to withdraw our selves so much the further from him. And whither wander we? Go we not so far, as to recoil and flee back wholly from him? Is not this a devilish wickedness of men? And yet this is so common, as it is pity to behold. And would to God we stood in need to search for examples herein further off, and that they were more rare to be found. But we see how all is profaned and violated, that the most part are nothing ⟨image 40⟩careful for the right usage of this day, which was ordained to the end that we should be retired from all worldly cares, and drawn back from all other business, to yield up ourselves wholly unto GOD. Moreover, let us know that the Sunday is not ordained for us only to come to the Sermon, but to the end we employ the rest of the time to laud and praise GOD. Note we this. For although he nourish us every day: yet notwithstanding, we meditate not sufficiently of the benefits he bestoweth on us, to magnify him in them. True it is, that this should be but a poor thing, if we should consider of the benefits of GOD but on the Sunday. But on the other days, because we are occupied overmuch about our worldly affairs, we are not so given to God as in that day, which is altogether dedicated unto this.

But now let vs consider, whether they which call themselues Christians, acquite themselues in this pointe, as were requisite. A great parte of men thinke they haue the Sundaie the better to attende on their worldly affaires, and they reserue to themselues this day, as if they had no other to deliberate for the whole weeke to come. Nowe, if the bell shall ring to a Sermon, they thinke they haue no other thing to doe, but to thinke on their businesse, and to make their accounte of this, and of that. Others glutte themselues by riotting, and are shutte vp in their houses, because they dare not shew a manifest contempt of their duetie in the open streetes. So that the Sundaie is to them but a retreate, to withdrawe themselues from the Churche and congregation of GOD. By this one may see, what affection wee haue towarde all Christianitie, and the seruice of GOD, seeing that by this which was geuen vs for an aide and helpe to drawe neerer vnto GOD, wee take occasion to withdrawe our selues so much the further from him. And whither wander wee? Goe wee not so farre, as to recule and flee backe wholie from him? Is not this a diuelishe wickednesse of men? And yet this is so common, as it is pitie to beholde. And would to God we stoode in neede to search for examples herein further off, and that they were more rare to be founde. But wee see how all is profaned and violated, that the most parte are nothing