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

In the first place therefore let us learn, that to serve God well, and as we ought, we must not only desire to do well, neither is it sufficient that we profit herein, and proceed effectually: but we must purge our selves of all evil and wicked affections, and of all corrupt thoughts, in such sort, that all our senses & understanding tend to this end, to give over our selves fully and wholly unto God, that we may show we have not been so distracted, as to bend on one side or other: but that we be held up so straight, as to run without being hindered or stayed: yea, to run in that way, which God showeth us, so that there be in us nothing, but all purity: and when we shall have well and throughly understood this, we shall be advertised to be watchful, and to stand on our guard. For we see how men wander, and lead them selves astray. And what is the cause hereof? Because they reckon (as we say) without their host. For they expound the law of GOD after their own fancy, and they think it sufficient, if their will be not wicked, and that they rest not them selves on their evil thoughts. Well, God will not impute this unto us, say they: and hereupon they walk on in their wicked concupiscences, and they have an headband which they put before their eyes, that they might not know how closely they deceive them selves. Now when men speak thus, yet this will not serve them to escape the hand of the heavenly Judge. Let us therefore take diligent heed, we restrain our selves in our concupiscences. For God hath not only condemned wicked intents and purposes, but all desires also, which provoke us to evil, and drive us thereunto. Let us therefore walk in so much the greater fear, let every one hold him self, as it were under lock, forasmuch as there is no part in us, which is not infected with sin. For let us examine all the faults of our soul, and we shall find sin dispersed over all: ⟨image 93⟩as when a poison hath entered the body of a man, so that every part thereof is infected. There is in us such an universal leprosy, as possesseth both the bones and the marrow, the thoughts and the affections, and all which is in us.

In the first place therefore let vs learne, that to serue God well, and as we ought, we must not onelie desire to doe well, neither is it sufficient that we profit herein, and proceede effectually: but we must purge our selues of all euill and wicked affections, and of all corrupt thoughts, in such sort, that all our senses & vnderstanding tend to this end, to giue ouer our selues fullie and wholie vnto God, that we may shew wee haue not bene so distracted, as to bend on one side or other: but that wee bee held vp so streight, as to runne without beeing hindered or staied: yea, to runne in that way, whiche God sheweth vs, so that there bee in vs nothing, but all puritie: and when wee shall haue well and throughlie vnderstood this, wee shalbe aduertised to bee watchfull, and to stand on our garde. For wee see howe men wander, and lead them selues astray. And what is the cause hereof? Because they reckon (as wee say) without their host. For they expounde the lawe of GOD after their owne fansie, and they thinke it sufficient, if their will bee not wicked, and that they rest not them selues on their euill thoughtes. Well, God will not impute this vnto vs, say they: and herevppon they walke on in their wicked concupiscences, and they haue an headband whiche they put before their eyes, that they might not knowe howe closelie they deceiue them selues. Now when men speake thus, yet this will not serue them to escape the hande of the heauenlie Iudge. Let vs therefore take diligent heede, we restraine our selues in our concupiscences. For God hath not onelie condemned wicked intentes and purposes, but all desires also, which prouoke vs to euil, and driue vs therevnto. Let vs therefore walke in so much the greater feare, let euerie one hold him self, as it were vnder lock, forasmuch as there is no part in vs, which is not infected with sinne. For let vs examine all the faults of our soule, and wee shall finde sinne dispersed ouer all: