A17717:244
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
Sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the.X.Commandments of the Law, given of God by Moses, otherwise called the Decalogue. Gathered word for word, presently at his sermons, when he preached on Deuteronomy, without adding unto, or diminishing from them any thing afterward. Translated out of French into English, by I.H.Sermons of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the.X.Commandementes of the Lawe, geuen of God by Moses, otherwise called the Decalogue. Gathered word for word, presently at his sermons, when he preached on Deuteronomie, without adding vnto, or diminishing from them any thing afterward. Translated out of Frenche into English, by I.H.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for John Harison, 1579London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Iohn Harison, 1579
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Let us now consider, if I conceive any thing against God, if I conceive any evil lust or desire of fornication or stealing, albeit I cleave not at all unto it, whether one part of my soul & understanding be not already corrupted, and whether I love God with all my heart, when one part of my understanding is bent against him? There is no question of the heart, but of this apprehension and conceiving of the mind, which is in the soul of man. Now I show well that there is vanity in this, that the fear of God withholdeth me not as it ought. It followeth then, that I am culpable and condemned, because I discharge not my self in loving GOD, as he hath commanded me. And again, is there not some virtue and power of my soul which applieth not it self to think on this or that, which is contrary unto GOD and his justice? So then, we see that evil and wicked thoughts are condemned, and that we cannot so excuse them, but that GOD shall worthily punish us for them. And let us know, that albeit men never consent unto evil, to have their will resolutely bent thereunto: yet cease they not to be accursed before GOD, if he would use his severity against them. ⟨p. 88⟩Now therefore we have the true sense and meaning, and we see withal, that we must take diligent heed to this place, that we be not seduced and abused herein. And the example of Saint Paul ought to prick us forward so much the more, seeing that he confesseth that he was ignorant of the law of GOD, until our Lord Jesus Christ had enlightened him by his holy spirit, to the end he might know what this word of concupiscence imported. It remaineth that we now apply this which hath been touched to our use and profit.
Let vs now consider, if I conceiue any thing against God, if I conceiue any euill lust or desire of fornication or stealing, albeit I cleaue not at all vnto it, whether one part of my soule & vnderstanding bee not alreadie corrupted, and whether I loue God with all my heart, when one parte of my vnderstanding is bent against him? There is no question of the heart, but of this apprehension and conceiuing of the minde, which is in the soule of man. Nowe I shewe well that there is vanitie in this, that the feare of God withholdeth me not as it ought. It followeth then, that I am culpable and condemned, because I discharge not my selfe in louing GOD, as he hath commaunded me. And againe, is there not some vertue and power of my soule which applieth not it selfe to thinke on this or that, which is contrarie vnto GOD and his iustice? So then, wee see that euill and wicked thoughtes are condemned, and that wee cannot so excuse them, but that GOD shall worthilie punish vs for them. And let vs knowe, that albeit men neuer consent vnto euil, to haue their will resolutely bent therevnto: yet cease they not to bee accursed before GOD, if hee would vse his seueritie against them.