A17717:118
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
Sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the.X.Commandments of the Law, given of God by Moses, otherwise called the Decalogue. Gathered word for word, presently at his sermons, when he preached on Deuteronomy, without adding unto, or diminishing from them any thing afterward. Translated out of French into English, by I.H.Sermons of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the.X.Commandementes of the Lawe, geuen of God by Moses, otherwise called the Decalogue. Gathered word for word, presently at his sermons, when he preached on Deuteronomie, without adding vnto, or diminishing from them any thing afterward. Translated out of Frenche into English, by I.H.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for John Harison, 1579London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Iohn Harison, 1579
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But here it might seem, that God hath ordained the Sabaoth day, not for a spiritual order, (as it hath been above said:) but that it might serve as a mean unto charity. For he saith, If thou wert in bondage, wouldest thou not that one should give thee some release? ⟨image 45⟩Wouldest thou always be oppressed with labour and travel? Surely by thy good will thou wouldest not. It behoveth then that thou be are also with others. Now this is not for the service of God, but rather instituted for common charity, which ought to be extended toward our neighbours, how ever in degree they be underlings unto us. But forasmuch as this commandment is contained in the first table of the law, it is certain that this which is here touched, is but as accessory. I say the first table of the law, for it is not without cause that God hath so divided his law, which he wrote in two stones. Might he not have wrote them in one stone, if he had would? Why then hath he made of them two several parts? This is not without great reason. For in the law of God there are two principal articles. The one concerneth our duty towards him: the other our duty we owe to our neighbours, which live and are conversant with us. As our whole life, if we consider well, ought hereunto to be referred. That is, that first in knowing we have a God, to whom we are to live, we walk in obedience: seeing we hold our life of him, we do him homage and reverence therefore, seeing he hath created us into a far better hope, and hath adopted us for his children, we glorify him for so great mercy and goodness: seeing he hath redeemed us by the blood of his son, we become his▪ endeavouring to withdraw our selves from the defilements of the world, to be unto him lively and unspotted sacrifices, we call on him, having our recourse unto him alone, we render him thanks for all his benefits bestowed upon us. Ye see then the first point of our life consisteth in the honour we ought to give to our GOD. Again, seeing it pleaseth him further to prove our obedience, by living with men in all uprightness, none be given to his private profit, but that we seek to serve to the commodity one of an other, that there be mutual honesty between us:
But here it might seeme, that God hath ordeined the Sabbaoth day, not for a spirituall order, (as it hath bene aboue said:) but that it might serue as a meane vnto charitie. For he saith, If thou wert in bondage, wouldest thou not that one shoulde giue thee some release?