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

And to the end that we may be so much the more attentive, and that we may know that this is a doctrine which requireth, that we apply our whole studies therein, let us bear in mind that which S. Paul saith, That being reputed a great and exceeding wise Doctor,¹ having been nourished in the law of God from his infancy, yet was he so blind, that he understood not what the law of God meant, until he was converted, and that our Lord Jesus Christ had enlightened him by his Gospel, to the end he might know whither the law of God ought to lead us.

And to the ende that we may be so much the more attentiue, and that we may knowe that this is a doctrine which requireth, that we applie our whole studies therein, let vs beare in minde that which S. Paule saith, That being reputed a great and exceding wise Doctor,¹ hauing bene nourished in the law of God from his infancie, yet was he so blind, that he vnderstoode not what the lawe of God ment, vntill he was conuerted, and that our Lorde Iesus Christ had enlightened him by his Gospell, to the end he might knowe whither the lawe of God ought to lead vs.

1. 1Phil. 3. •.

Behold then Saint Paul, who was instructed in such sort, that he was in great reputation among men, not among the Paynims, to say, that he was some great Philosopher: but he was taught and brought up in the law of GOD. And touching his life, he protesteth, that he lived irreprehensible, as without all fault before men: Lo, I say, Saint Paul ⟨image 91⟩an holy and learned personage after the common estimation of men, but yet a poor beast touching the law of God. And why? He saith he esteemed himself living, & that he thought himself just before God, and knew not that he had need of the mercy which GOD offereth unto all sinners. For he abstained from theft, from fornication, & such like things: he had no wicked desires in him which one might perceive, and which might be known unto men, so that he justified him self in his own fantasy. Now in the end, when God had taken pity on him, he opened his eyes, & made him to understand that which is contained in this last commandment, Thou shalt not covet. Behold how S. Paul began now first to understand the law, in which before he was a doctor, making profession thereof, wherein he had been taught and instructed from his first age. Until he had well considered and medicated of this, he tripped over the quick coals, he learned his lesson (as we say) by rot, he never tasted nor understood the force and power of the law, he never knew that this was sin, to condemn himself before God, and to have his refuge to his mercy, in the which the hope of our salvation lieth, and whereupon it ought to be grounded. Seeing then S. Paul knew not the law, and had no right understanding thereof, but by this word: let us labour herein with so much the more diligence: and seeing that all the time of his life, until his conversion, he was so blind, that he understood not this word: by so much the more ought we to be attentive in this place, for we are of no greater ability than he: but God by his holy spirit must reveal to us what this concupiscence is, which he hath in this place condemned. Now beyond all this, we must have an other admonition which is very needful and necessary for us.