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 that we suffer our God to rule and govern us, and that we be as ⟨p. 41⟩dead creatures, that he may live in us, and not follow our own swing, which is altogether corrupted. Thus it behoved the Jews deeply to weigh, even in the brute beasts, this visible sign, which was given to the end this might restrain them so much the more, and that they should be admonished by this mean, to observe the Sabaoth day, with all reverence. Withal we see, how in all times God handleth men according to their hardness, and that he hath provided them of meet and convenient remedies, forasmuch as they are not inclined of them selves, before he draweth them in this manner. And this is not only for the Jews, but for us. Let us therefore acknowledge the great goodness and mercy of our God, which forgetteth not nor omitteth any thing of all that which might remedy our vices. And withal let us acknowledge the perverseness which is in us, that we flatter not our selves, nor give the bridle to our affections, sithence we have need to be constrained, and that God give us many pricks with the spur, as to dull and resty jades. And when God pricketh and spurreth us in such sort, know we that it is not without good cause, but that he doth it, because we are so crooked and perverse to be ruled, because we are so froward and rebellious. Let us then begin to displease our selves in all our lusts and affections, and learn to imprison our selves so far, that nothing hinder us to follow the way which God would lead us in. And although our nature always resist, yet let us enforce our selves to walk after his will, until we be fully ruled and ordered by our God. Lo what we have to bear in mind upon this place: besides that which shall be by and by touched of man servants, and maid servants: namely, that God putteth the Jews in remembrance that they were servants in the land of Egypt, and therefore that they ought with all gentleness, to entreat them, which are under their rule and authority. For he saith, Thy man servant, & thy maid, shall rest them selves. And why? For thou wast sometime in bondage: the time hath been thou couldest well have wished that one had given thee some rest and release from thy labours. Thou oughtest then to use such gentleness towards them, which are under thy hand.

but that we suffer our God to rule and gouerne vs, and that wee bee as ⟨p. 41⟩dead creatures, that he may liue in vs, and not followe our owne swinge, which is altogether corrupted. Thus it behoued the Iewes deepely to weigh, euen in the brute beastes, this visible signe, which was giuen to the end this might restreine them so much the more, and that they should bee admonished by this meane, to obserue the Sabbaoth day, with all reuerence. Withall we see, how in all times God handleth men according to their hardnesse, and that he hath prouided them of meete and conuenient remedies, for asmuch as they are not inclined of them selues, before he draweth them in this manner. And this is not onely for the Iewes, but for vs. Let vs therfore acknowledge the great goodnesse and mercie of our God, which forgetteth not nor omitteth any thing of all that which might remedie our vices. And withall let vs acknowledge the peruersnesse which is in vs, that wee flatter not our selues, nor geue the bridle to our affections, sithence we haue neede to bee constreined, and that God geue vs many prickes with the spurre, as to dull and restie iades. And when God pricketh and spurreth vs in such sort, knowe we that it is not without good cause, but that he doth it, because we are so croked and peruerse to be ruled, because wee are so froward and rebellious. Let vs then beginne to displease our selues in all our lustes and affections, and learne to imprison our selues so farre, that nothing hinder vs to follow the way which God would lead vs in. And although our nature alwayes resist, yet let vs enforce our selues to walke after his will, vntill we bee fullie ruled and ordered by our God. Loe what we haue to beare in minde vpon this place: besides that which shalbe by and by touched of man seruantes, and maide seruantes: namelie, that God putteth the Iewes in remembraunce that they were seruantes in the land of Egypt, and therefore that they ought with all gentlenesse, to entreate them, which are vnder their rule and authoritie. For he saith, Thy man seruant, & thy maid, shall rest them selues. And why? For thou wast somtime in bondage: the time hath bene thou couldest well haue wished that one had giuen thee some rest and release from thy labours. Thou oughtest then to vse such gentlenesse towardes them, which are vnder thy hand.