A17717:151
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.
The. 8. Sermon.
Deut. Chap. 5. 17 Thou shalt do no murder.
Deut. Chap. 5. 17 Thou shalt doe no murder.
WE have already seen how, for the better ordering of our life with men, we ought to yield obedience to those which have any superiority over us. For this is the first thing which God commandeth us in the second table of the law: and even coming from him self unto men, he placeth this as the mean between both, to honour them, whom he hath appointed over us. It is true, that when we speak of men, we understand some like and equal fellowship. For we are all descended from the stock of Adam, we are of the same nature, and all this importeth that men are of like equality. But this notwithstanding, seeing it hath pleased almighty GOD, to appoint certain degrees, we must return unto ⟨image 58⟩this point, and observe this order, that he which hath any preeminence, be so esteemed & accounted of amongest men. And we ought not here to make this allegation: Why? Is he better than I? For this difference of degrees proceedeth not from this, that one is better than another: but this is, because it pleaseth God to give preeminence unto some, whom he will also have honoured. Now this is not sufficient, that children honour their fathers by bearing some reverence to them: but they must succour them, they must employ them selves for their behoof and commodity, as much as shall be possible. And in very deed Jesus Christ showeth,1 that there is nothing but mere hypocrisy, when the children shall only make some sign of love or honour to fathers and mothers, & in the mean while leave them helpless in need and necessity. This is to defraud parents of their right, this is to mock the law of God, when men will so observe it by way of outward ceremonies. As much is to be said of all subjection. For it is required that we make not some sign only of honour, but that we render all the right of dutifulness which appertaineth unto him, which is in any preeminence above us: yea, and that we do this of our own accord and goodwill. Men truly would be exempted from all kind of bondage and subjection: but seeing God hath ordained so diverse an order, we must frame our selves thereunto, and that not by force and constraint. For what account shall be made of this, if we obey God in despite of our teeth, and our heart drive always the contrary way, and draw clean backward?