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, all such unruliness of the flesh, is far from so excellent dignity, as GOD gave unto mankind, that we should now bear such marks, in stead of being as we should have been, as Angels of heaven. So then, all unruliness of the flesh is a we: but yet so the Lord beareth with us, that he hath ordained such a mean, as whereby this vice shall not be imputed unto us for a vice, whereby this unruliness of the flesh, being in it self vicious and damnable, shall not be imputed before GOD, when it shall have this cloak and coverture. And when a man, seeing that he can not abstain, after he hath prayed to God, & recommended himself unto him, taketh a wife, to the end he lead not a dissolute life, to exercise his lusts here and there as chance serveth, as dogs, and bulls, and other like brute beasts do: when he shall (I say) have his recourse unto marriage, as GOD hath ordained: lo, this vice is hidden and covered, and cometh not to account. And in this we see the inestimable bounty and goodness of GOD, that when he leaveth in us this vice, such a one as ought to shame us: yet notwithstanding, he ordaineth a good mean, whereby it is buried and appeareth not. And albeit men be incontinent: yet are they not accused before God, nor brought before his throne of judgement, if so be they keep them selves within the bounds of marriage: for all unchastity is not lawful, as if a man would grant him self an outrageous liberty herein, and a wife likewise toward her husband: for we must take heed we make not of our house a stews. But when a man shall live with his wife in the fear of GOD, albeit the company of the bed be shameful: yet before God and his Angels it wanteth now all reproach and infamy. And why? The coverture of marriage sanctifieth that which is ⟨p. 68⟩polluted and unhallowed, it serveth to purge and make clean that which in it self is filthy and unclean. Therefore, when we see that our Lord is so bountiful and gentle unto us, that he hath ordained such a remedy, are we not by so much the more wicked and unthankful, if we use it not, and if all excuses which men allege, be not hereby removed and taken away?

For, all such vnrulinesse of the fleshe, is farre from so excellent dignitie, as GOD gaue vnto mankinde, that we shoulde nowe beare such markes, in steade of being as we should haue bene, as Angels of heauen. So then, all vnrulinesse of the fleshe is a wee: but yet so the Lorde beareth with vs, that hee hath ordeined such a meane, as whereby this vice shall not bee imputed vnto vs for a vice, whereby this vnrulinesse of the fleshe, being in it selfe vicious and damnable, shall not be imputed before GOD, when it shall haue this cloake and couerture. And when a man, seeing that he can not absteine, after he hath prayed to God, & recommended himselfe vnto him, taketh a wife, to the ende hee leade not a dissolute life, to exercise his lustes here and there as chaunce serueth, as dogges, and bulles, and other like brute beastes doe: when he shall (I say) haue his recourse vnto marriage, as GOD hath ordeined: loe, this vice is hidden and couered, and commeth not to account. And in this wee see the inestimable bountie and goodnesse of GOD, that when he leaueth in vs this vice, such a one as ought to shame vs: yet notwithstanding, hee ordeineth a good meane, whereby it is buried and appeareth not. And albeit men bee incontinent: yet are they not accused before God, nor brought before his throne of iudgement, if so bee they keepe them selues within the boundes of marriage: for all vnchastitie is not lawfull, as if a man would graunt him selfe an outragious libertie herein, and a wife likewise toward her husbande: for we must take heede we make not of our house a stewes. But when a man shall liue with his wife in the feare of GOD, albeit the companie of the bedde be shamefull: yet before God and his Angels it wanteth nowe all reproche and infamie. And why? The couerture of marriage sanctifieth that which is