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

WE handled yesterday, in what sort, and to what end the commandment of observing the Sabbath day was given to the Jews. It was said in general, that this was a figure of the spiritual rest, which the faithful ought to keep, the better to serve and worship God. And seeing our Lord hath brought us the full accomplishment of this, it hath been said, that we must no longer rest and stay our selves on this shadow of the Law, but be content that our old man be crucified by the virtue of the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the end we may be renewed in our minds wholly to serve our God. Withal we noted, that we stand in need of some order and policy amongest us, and therefore it behoved that some certain day should be appointed to assemble us together, to be confirmed in the doctrine of God, and to make our profit therein every day, even all the time of our life, that we be also exercised to call upon his name, to make confession of our faith, and that the rest of this day be spent in considering the benefits we receive at all times at the hand of God, to the end he be the more glorified in them. And now have we to note this which followeth in the text of ⟨p. 39⟩Moses. Six days thou shalt labour, (saith the Lord.) This ought not to be understood, as if God commanded us hereby, precisely to labour. Howbeit, it is true, that we are borne to this, and we know that God meaneth not we should be idle as long as we live in this world. For he hath given men hands and feet, force and strength, to this purpose. Yea, before sin entered, it is said that Adam was placed in the garden of Eden, to dress it, and keep it. Albeit the labour and travel which men are now enjoined, is a chastisement for sin. For it is thus denounced them, In the sweat of thy face, thou shalt eat thy bread. This is a curse and malediction laid on mankind. For we are not worthy to enjoy the condition which was given to our father Adam, that he might live at pleasure without troubling or tormenting him self. But yet, before that sin entered into the world, and that we were in this sort condemned of God to this painful & wearisome travel, it was requisite, that men should exercise themselves with some labour. And why? Because this is contrary to our nature, that we should be as logs and blocks unprofitable.

WE handled yesterday, in what sorte, and to what end the commaundement of obseruing the Sabboth day was giuen to the Iewes. It was said in generall, that this was a figure of the spirituall rest, which the faithfull ought to keepe, the better to serue and woorshippe God. And seeing our Lord hath brought vs the full accomplishment of this, it hath bene said, that we must no longer rest and stay our selues on this shadowe of the Lawe, but be content that our old man be crucified by the vertue of the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ, to the end wee may bee renewed in our mindes wholie to serue our God. Withall wee noted, that wee stand in neede of some order and policie amongest vs, and therefore it behoued that some certeine day should bee appointed to assemble vs together, to bee confirmed in the doctrine of God, and to make our profite therein euerie day, euen all the time of our life, that wee bee also exercised to call vppon his name, to make confession of our faith, and that the rest of this day bee spent in considering the benefites wee receiue at all times at the hand of God, to the end he bee the more glorified in them. And now haue we to note this whiche followeth in the text of