A17717:248
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.
that albeit it be so great: yet he condemneth it in his law. And why? For when GOD ordereth our life, and showeth us how we are to walk, he hath not respect what we can do: but he considereth of that we owe him, he respecteth what uprightness and innocency ⟨image 94⟩of living is, though it be not found in us. We are the creatures of GOD: ought we not then to give over our selves wholly to his service? Without all doubt we ought: for this is a peremptory reason: and can not be gainsaid. And men may well mutter and murmur hereat, yet shall they always be convicted with so manifest a proof, that having their being of GOD, and for him, they ought to dedicate unto him all their senses and affections, and whatsoever there is either in their body or their soul. Now withal let us note diligently, that we cannot acquire us of our duty towards him. But where is the cause hereof, but in our own nature? But this we draw from Adam. It followeth not, for that we are held captives under sin, and that this cursed servitude and bondage hindereth us from doing well, and maketh us give our selves altogether unto that which is evil, what ever other cause be hereof, the root is in us, and every one shall feel himself culpable.1 And we must not say, that we are driven hereunto by any external force, but every one is led and driven unto this by his own proper concupiscence, and so there remaineth no excuse for us. And hereby we see that we must not measure the law of God by our own faculties and powers. And why? God respecteth not what we can do, or what our power and ability is: but he respecteth how far we are bound unto him, he respecteth this integrity and perfection, which is without us. Behold what we have to observe. And this is that which abuseth and deceiveth the Papists. For they have this principle among them, That the law of God is not impossible unto men. It is wonderful how they have been so mad, how the devil hath enchanted and bewitched them in such sort. For this doctrine is most clear and manifest throughout all the holy scripture: namely, that men shall be always condemned by the law, and must always have recourse to the mere grace and mercy of God. When Saint Paul will prove that men are accursed being sinners,2 and that there is not at all one just man, what argument or reason is it which he useth?