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

But what? We demand of GOD our daily bread, and while we protest that he sustaineth and nourisheth us, we exercise our rapines, our pilings, our deceits, and other such wickedness. Is not this even to mock God, when I say with my mouth, Give me my daily bread, and in the mean while I go to seek it of the devil? For if we use such unlawful means, if we deceive one, if we spoil an other: from whom is it that we take our goods? Is it from the hand of God, or rather from the hand of the devil? Are we not companions of thieves and of robbers? It is certain therefore, that we would the devil enrich us, when we are given so to deceit and extortion: and which more is, it is a sure sign of our infidelity and unbelief, and that we attend not any thing at all on the blessing of God, and think not, that he is rich enough to sustain and enrich us. Lo, how wickedly we are herein disposed: and yet this we ⟨image 79⟩ought to profit our selves, when we hear that our Lord accurseth stealings, and that he teacheth us, that they are detestable in his sight, to let us have them in greater horror and detestation. Therefore, let us first of all bear in mind, that God judgeth not according to the fantasy of men, but that his will is, that we walk in all integrity and uprightness, that every one have his right, that none be molested and troubled for his living and substance, that we straightly withhold our selves from all injury and wrong doing. And again, because we are so inclined unto evil, let us consider of those means which may hold us under the obedience of GOD, and hinder us from stealing, of which we have already spoken: and let us know, that God hath joined us together, that we should keep this law and rule of equity. Moreover, let us not desire to be rich, but let us practise this doctrine of bearing poverty patiently, that we be not inflamed with a desire of getting, and advancing, and promoting our selves further. Again, let us abhor and detest all cruelty and deceit: and above all, let us learn not to be so brutish as to think, that when we have scraped together on this side, and the other, this may be to make us rich. Let us beware how we deceive our selves in this behalf. And why? For true riches (as I have said) proceed from the blessing of God.

But what? Wee demaund of GOD our dailie bread, and while wee protest that hee sustaineth and nourisheth vs, wee exercise our rapines, our pillinges, our deceites, and other such wickednes. Is not this euen to mocke God, when I say with my mouth, Giue me my dailie bread, and in the meane while I go to seeke it of the diuell? For if we vse such vnlawfull meanes, if we deceiue one, if we spoile an other: from whom is it that we take our goods? Is it from the hand of God, or rather from the hand of the diuell? Are we not companions of theeues and of robbers? It is certeine therefore, that we would the diuell enrich vs, when we are giuen so to deceite and extortion: and which more is, it is a sure signe of our infidelitie and vnbeleefe, and that we attend not anie thing at all on the blessing of God, and thinke not, that he is rich inough to susteine and enriche vs. Loe, howe wickedlie we are herein disposed: and yet this wee