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

So then the law may well be impossible touching us, but yet it is possible for GOD to imprint it in our hearts, and to govern us by his holy spirit, in such wise, that this yoke shall be easy and sweet unto us, and that it shall have no hardness in it to grieve and trouble us. So then, when men shall have well considered of this thing, they shall be convinced that God beareth with them as a father, which should show him self pitiful towards his children. And therefore let us take diligent heed we be not ungrateful, but be provoked & allured to serve our GOD, so much the more, seeing he commandeth us not those things, which might seem over bitter and painful unto us, but hath a due regard to our power and ability. Thus ye see what we have to note out of this place, where our Lord declareth that he leaveth unto men their commodity. It is true (as it was yesterday touched,) that we ought to be so spiritual, as every day to assemble our selves together to call on our GOD, that we ought to mount up to the heavenly life, leaving all our worldly affairs. But what? GOD seeth that we are environed and enclosed with our flesh, that we creep and trail on the ground, that our infirmities over bear us, in such sort, that we can not lead an Angelical life. GOD therefore seeing such rawness and weakness in us, having pity, that we can not acquit our selves fully in this which were our office and duty to do, he releaseth us, and showeth not the extremity of his rigour, but saith, that he is content if we dedicate one day unto him, or if this day serve us for all the rest of the week. And why? For (as I have said) he dealeth not extremely with us, but considereth that we are over weak and frail. Therefore, when he beareth with us after this manner, and leaveth unto us our profits and commodities, so much more dissolute, wicked, and inexcusable are we, if we be not inflamed to yield our selves wholly unto him. Now, it followeth immediately, that neither our man servant, nor maid, nor ox, nor ass, nor any of our cattle, shall labour on the Sabaoth day, nor the stranger, ⟨image 44⟩which is within our gates. Touching the cattle, one might think it strange, that God hath comprised them under the observation of this rest,¹ seeing it is so high & heavenly a mystery, as it was yesterday entreated.

So then the lawe may well bee impossible touching vs, but yet it is possible for GOD to imprint it in our heartes, and to gouerne vs by his holy spirite, in such wise, that this yoke shall bee easie and sweete vnto vs, and that it shall haue no hardenesse in it to grieue and trouble vs. So then, when men shall haue well considered of this thing, they shalbe conuinced that God beareth with them as a father, whiche shoulde shewe him selfe pitifull towardes his children. And therefore let vs take diligent heede wee be not vngratefull, but bee prouoked & allured to serue our GOD, so much the more, seeing he commaundeth vs not those thinges, whiche might seeine ouer bitter and painfull vnto vs, but hath a due regarde to our power and abilitie. Thus yee see what wee haue to note out of this place, where our Lorde declareth that he leaueth vnto men their commoditie. It is true (as it was yesterday touched,) that wee ought to bee so spirituall, as euerie day to assemble our selues together to call on our GOD, that wee ought to mount vp to the heauenlie life, leauing all our wordlie affaires. But what? GOD seeth that we are enuironed and inclosed with our flesh, that we creepe and traile on the ground, that our infirmities ouer beare vs, in such sorte, that wee can not leade an Angelicall life. GOD therefore seeing such rawnesse and weaknesse in vs, hauing pitie, that we can not acquite our selues fullie in this whiche were our office and dutie to doe, he releaseth vs, and sheweth not the extremitie of his rigour, but saith, that he is content if wee dedicate one day vnto him, or if this day serue vs for all the rest of the weeke. And why? For (as I haue saide) he dealeth not extreamelie with vs, but considereth that we are ouer weake and fraile. Therefore, when he beareth with vs after this manner, and leaueth vnto vs our profits and commodities, so much more dissolute, wicked, and inexcusable are wee, if wee bee not inflamed to yealde our selues wholie vnto him. Nowe, it followeth immediatelie, that neither our man seruant, nor maide, nor oxe, nor asse, nor any of our cattell, shall labour on the Sabbaoth day, nor the straunger,