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

For men flatter themselves at this day, as they have done heretofore: and it seemeth unto them, that fornication is not so great and deadly a sin. Yea, see some jesters and scoffers which scorn God, and call whoredom but a natural sin, & say that fornication is but a small matter. There are such filthy swine which will speak thus. Now for this cause Saint Paul saith: Let no man deceive you. These scoffs and flouts were even in his time very rife, in the mouth of the contemners of God, and many blinded themselves, as we know the world is much inclined to flatter it self. Let none deceive you, saith Saint Paul, by such lying words. And why? For fornication is a detestable thing in the sight of God, as he showeth by the punishment which he hath sent upon fornicators: as Saint Paul noteth in the tenth of the first Epistle to the Corinthians,¹ where he bringeth in an example of a mighty army which was slain for this sin. And by this, is it not manifestly known, that God can not tolerate and ⟨p. 66⟩bear with fornications? For the life of man (as we yesterday declared) is dear and precious unto him, they are creatures made and reformed to his image and likeness. Now, when there are one, two, three thousand men dispatched, so that God destroyeth so great a number of his own images, that is, of creatures which he hath formed, must we not say that there was kindled some terrible fire of his vengeance? And what? Fornication was the cause hereof. Conclude we therefore, that we must no longer seek to deceive our selves, as if our faults were light and easy to be pardoned, seeing our Lord which exceedeth not, or passeth measure in his judgements, hath revenged it with so sharp a punishment. But rather let us know and remember, that we shall be called to our account before the heavenly Judge, when happily men have absolved and pardoned us, and that when we have thought there is in us no infection and filthiness, God shall put unto his hand and declare it. So then let us have an eye unto him, and the examples which he giveth us, that we may remain under his fear, and endeavour with greater diligence to abstain from all pollutions and spots of filthiness. Ye see in effect how we ought to understand this seventh commandment of the Law, that we defile not our selves with any uncleanness or intemperance.

For men flatter themselues at this day, as they haue done heretofore: and it seemeth vnto them, that fornication is not so great and deadly a sinne. Yea, see some ieasters and scoffers which scorne God, and call whordome but a naturall sinne, & say that fornication is but a small matter. There are such filthie swine which will speake thus. Now for this cause Saint Paul saith: Let no man deceiue you. These scoffes and floutes were euen in his time verie rife, in the mouth of the contemners of God, and manie blinded themselues, as we knowe the world is much inclined to flatter it selfe. Let none deceiue you, saith Saint Paule, by such lying wordes. And why? For fornication is a detestable thing in the sight of God, as hee sheweth by the punishment which he hath sent vpon fornicatours: as Saint Paule noteth in the tenth of the first Epistle to the Corinthians,