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

& let us consider, that if we were in the same state that poor men are, we would gladly wish to be relieved and succoured. Briefly, if we will abstain from theft, let us not be either cruel wolves, nor wily foxes. For all they which walk deceitfully and maliciously, are as wily foxes. Truly poor men, what need so ever they are in, when they are led to do evil, they show themselves no longer men, if they unjustly rake unto themselves the goods of another. But they which commit their thieveries by violence and oppression, are as brute beasts, which seek nothing else, but to consume and devour all. So then, that we be not thieves, let us not be cruel. Above all let us learn to wait for all that, which shall be necessary for us in this present world, from the bounty and blessing of God. If we hold fast this rule, it is certain that all covetousness, and all pillages, and all deceits, and all such like things, shall soon be removed. We shall not need then any other medicine than this to heal all our vices: namely, that we lift our eyes from ground, to say: God is our father, he will provide us of all that we stand in need of, it is he from whom we must look for all that appertaineth to the maintenance of this present life: briefly, it is his blessing which is the fountain of all riches. If we were well and throughly persuaded of this, we should not need more precepts in the law to forbid stealings, we should not need any more admonitions, we should not need any more advertisements, this only word would suffice.

& let vs consider, that if we were in the same state that poore men are, we would gladlie wish to be releeued and succoured. Briefelie, if we will absteine from theft, let vs not bee either cruell wolues, nor wilie foxes. For all they which walke deceitfully and maliciously, are as wilie foxes. Truely poore men, what neede so euer they are in, when they are led to doe euill, they shew themselues no longer men, if they vniustly rake vnto themselues the goodes of another. But they which commit their theeueries by violence and oppression, are as brute beastes, which seeke nothing else, but to consume and deuour al. So then, that we be not theeues, let vs not be cruel. Aboue al let vs learne to waite for all that, which shall be necessarie for vs in this present world, from the bountie and blessing of God. If we hold fast this rule, it is certeine that all couetousnesse, and all pillages, and all deceites, and all such like thinges, shall soone be remoued. We shall not neede then any other medicine than this to heale all our vices: namelie, that we lift our eyes from ground, to say: God is our father, he will prouide vs of all that we stand in neede of, it is hee from whom we must looke for all that apperteineth to the maintenance of this present life: brieflie, it is his blessing which is the fountaine of all riches. If we were well and throughlie persuaded of this, we should not neede more preceptes in the lawe to forbid stealings, we should not neede anie more admonitions, wee should not neede anie more aduertisements, this onlie word would suffice.