A17717:159
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.
We have already said, that God hath purposely used that word, to the end he might declare to us, that how ever we esteem them as light and little faults, to be the occasion of tumults, and seditions, to have given some cross-blow, ⟨p. 57⟩that he notwithstanding shall not account so of these things, as we do. Wherefore? They are all as weighty as murder. Ye see then why God hath thus spoke. Therefore, as he hath forbidden us murder: so let us know, that he hath interdicted us to do any injury, or use any violence towards our neighbours. When we have done nothing, but lifted up our dagger against any one, and have touched him in anger and indignation, behold a murder is committed in the sight of God. If we would well consider of this, should we not be much more sober in our dealings than we are? We shall see some so choleric, that if one displease them, but with a word, lo forthwith the dagger is drawn to strike and to beat him. For it seemeth unto them, that so there be no blood drawn, the matter is not great: but how easy soever they be in their judgements, the sentence of God can not be retracted, when he declareth, That all murders are mutinies and seditions, and all mutinies murders. So then let us learn to lay aside our own fantasies, when we will be judges of our own faults, & let us quietly and peaceably receive the sentence which God hath given: and know we, that all those which violently attempt any thing against their neighbours, are already guilty of murder before God. Lo what we have briefly to bear in mind. But now, to make a trial whether we abstain from all harm doing, from committing any outrage against the persons of our neighbours, we must come to the examining of our hearts and secrete thoughts. For God hath not given some civil law only, to cause us to live honestly:1 but he hath given a law convenient & agreeable to his own nature. We know that he is a spirit, & will be worshipped in spirit and truth. Seeing it is so, it behoveth us to know, that he hath prescribed a rule, not only for our hands & feet, but for our thoughts also & affections. It is true, that men, as they are carnal, when first the law of God is pronounced to them, they think they have well acquitted them selves, when they are faultless before the world.
We haue alreadie said, that God hath purposely vsed that word, to the end he might declare to vs, that howe euer wee esteeme them as light and little faultes, to bee the occasion of tumultes, and seditions, to haue giuen some crosse-blowe,