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

I remember not so long a lesson, and it was to hard for me. Lo why God would speak in one word, even to the end his doctrine might by and by be learned, & that his law might easily be imprinted in memory. We need not turn over many leaves, we need not have any great registers, and volumes: this sufficeth, that God hath in ten words comprised the rule of well living. What shall he now be, which may allege, and say: I have forgotten such an article, I have not understood it. For can we not bear in mind ten words? We see then now, how God would hold men convicted of shamelessness, when they have not well understood that, which they ought to do. Ye see then why God hath spoken after so brief and short a manner. Moreover, he hath so chewed these things, as the Proverb is, that digesting of them, we might learn to order our selves peaceably to him: yea, that the most idiots might know, that it needeth not to be any great Clerk to understand the law of God, seeing he hath descended so low, and framed him self so to our capacity, that there is no poor wretch so ignorant, which may not comprehend and understand that which is contained in the law. Lo, what we have briefly to bear in mind. Now seeing it is so, that ⟨p. 56⟩God hath forbidden murder, as a wicked and detestable thing, we have to know first of all, that he which lifteth himself up to kill and murder his neighbours, is not worthy to be nourished on the earth, as being worse natured than the brute beasts. For we see how the Bears, the Lions, and other wild and savage beasts, spare those which are of their own kind, & are like them selves. And why? Although they want all reason to discern good from evil, albeit they have neither law nor equity: yet notwithstanding, even this acknowledging of a common and like nature between them selves, withholdeth them from all cruelty. Shall then the brute beasts know well, how to live without hurting of their own kind: and shall it not be an overgreat shame, that men may not be withheld by some consideration, seeing that God hath imprinted in their hearts, how wicked and execrable a thing murder is? They see they are all of the same nature, every one doth behold the image of GOD in his neighbour, and should not this serve them for a bridle to withhold them from all violence and wrong doing?

I remember not so long a lesson, and it was to hard for me. Loe why God would speake in one word, euen to the end his doctrine might by and by be learned, & that his lawe might easily bee imprinted in memorie. We neede not turne ouer many leaues, wee neede not haue any great registers, and volumes: this sufficeth, that God hath in ten woordes comprised the rule of well liuing. What shall he now be, which may alledge, and say: I haue forgotten such an article, I haue not vnderstood it. For can we not beare in minde ten woordes? Wee see then now, how God would hold men conuicted of shamlesnesse, when they haue not well vnderstood that, which they ought to doe. Yee see then why God hath spoken after so briefe and short a maner. Moreouer, he hath so chewed these things, as the Prouerbe is, that digesting of them, we might learne to order our selues peceably to him: yea, that the most idiotes might knowe, that it needeth not to bee any great Clerke to vnderstand the lawe of God, seeing he hath descended so lowe, and framed him selfe so to our capacitie, that there is no poore wretch so ignorant, whiche may not comprehend and vnderstand that which is conteined in the lawe. Loe, what wee haue briefly to beare in minde. Nowe seeing it is so, that