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

Therefore, when we shall have understood and confessed, that we are in all sorts that may be culpable, behold, God calleth and showeth us, that of these so many wicked desires which are in us, although in their own nature they are sin: yet will he not impute any of them unto us for sin. Is then a wicked desire reputed sin in the faithful? No. But here two divers things are to be considered. For if we respect the nature of the vice, it is always sin. But doeth God pardon it? Why then behold, he calleth none of these evil concupiscences unto account, forasmuch as by his free mercy and goodness he pardoneth them unto the faithful. We know also, that by the blood of Jesus Christ, all our spots are washed and wiped out: and baptism is hereof a sure testimony and witness unto us. For by it have we been washed from all the filths and pollutions which are in us, that we might appear pure and clean in the sight of God: yea, which more is, those mortal and deadly sins which are actually committed, shall not be imputed unto us, because (as I have said) that God hath buried our sin, and will not regard it: but we must notwithstanding have respect unto it, and beware diligently how we offend. But if any abuse and deceive them selves, to be persuaded, they conceive no wicked ⟨image 96⟩ked desires, this shall occasion GOD to call them to their account. And why? For, when men flatter them selves they must needs be condemned. And lo why the devil hath so much end-uoured to blind the eyes of men, in making them believe that none of all these things are sin: yea, we see how the Papists think that the grossest faults that may be, are soon wiped out with one sign of the cross, or with one Asperges of holy water. They think these things are nothing, and they sport them selves with GOD, as with some little child. But let us contrariwise remember, that when we shall not only slug in sin, but shall be greatly inclined to flatter our selves in our vices: let us (I say) remember to take unto us this glass of the law, and to behold our selves in, that we abuse not, nor deceive our selves. A man may have his face foul and dirty, every one shall mock him, and yet he shall see nothing thereon: but when he looketh in a glass, and seeth all his face soiled, then he withdraweth him self, and goeth and washeth it:

Therefore, when we shall haue vnderstood and confessed, that we are in all sortes that may be culpable, beholde, God calleth and sheweth vs, that of these so manie wicked desires which are in vs, although in their owne nature they are sinne: yet will he not impute anie of them vnto vs for sinne. Is then a wicked desire reputed sinne in the faithfull? No. But here two diuers things are to be considered. For if we respect the nature of the vice, it is alwayes sinne. But doeth God pardon it? Why then beholde, he calleth none of these euill concupiscences vnto account, forasmuch as by his free mercie and goodnesse hee pardoneth them vnto the faithfull. We knowe also, that by the bloud of Iesus Christ, all our spottes are washed and wiped out: and baptisme is hereof a sure testimonie and witnesse vnto vs. For by it haue we bene washed from all the filthes and pollutions which are in vs, that we might appeare pure and cleane in the sight of God: yea, which more is, those mortall and deadlie sinnes which are acuiallis committed, shall not bee imputed vnto vs, because (as I haue said) that God hath buried our sinne, and will not regard it: but we must notwithstanding haue respect vnto it, and beware diligentlie howe we offende. But if anie abuse and deceiue them selues, to be persuaded, they conceiue no wicked