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

so have we need here to do. It is true, that the whole law of GOD is as a glass, to show us our filthiness, that we might be confounded and ashamed of our wickedness: but we must have to consider of our condition a most clear and bright glass. If we read this only, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not be a murderer, nor adulterer, every one will make him self believe, that he is guilty in nothing: but when we come to this commandment, Thou shalt not covet, lo GOD soundeth not only the depth of our heart, but all our thoughts and imaginations: there is nothing which he trieth not and examineth? and those things which we shall account for no faults, shall be condemned before GOD, and he shall be Judge of them, if we on our part will not judge them. Now, in the mean time we are to magnify the mercy of our God, that when we are so many ways culpable, he yet receiveth us as just and righteous. Let us compare together the justice we obtain by the means of faith, and the malediction which is on us, wherein we are plunged. Are we culpable before GOD of one offence, of three, of any number? Nay rather, are we not plunged into such bottomless gulfs, that when we shall begin to make our account, we shall be overwhelmed and confounded with the multitude of our offences? An hundred millions of faults are the hundred part of them which we have committed in the sight ⟨p. 92⟩of GOD, we are guilty in so many, that there is neither end nor measure in our sins. Yet for all this, GOD receiveth us so to mercy, that we are accounted just before him, as if there were in us all integrity and perfection, and that we wanted nothing of fulfilling the whole law. Therefore, when God bestoweth on us this gift of faith, whereby we apprehend and take hold of the grace and mercy, which hath been purchased us, by the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we will now do him this honour, to say: Lord, it is in thy mere goodness and free mercy, that our salvation consisteth: when GOD (I say) pardoneth us such an infinite number of sins and offences, and clotheth us with his own justice: see we not how far we are bound unto him for this inestimable goodness?

so haue we need here to do. It is true, that the whole lawe of GOD is as a glasse, to shewe vs our filthinesse, that wee might bee confounded and ashamed of our wickednesse: but wee must haue to consider of our condition a most cleare and bright glasse. If wee reade this onelie, Thou shalt not steale, Thou shalt not bee a murderer, nor adulterer, euerie one will make him selfe beleeue, that hee is guiltie in nothing: but when wee come to this commaundement, Thou shalt not couet, loe GOD soundeth not onelie the depth of our heart, but all our thoughtes and imaginations: there is nothing which hee trieth not and examineth? and those thinges which we shall account for no faultes, shalbe condenmed before GOD, and he shall be Iudge of them, if wee on our part will not iudge them. Nowe, in the meane time we are to magnifie the mercie of our God, that when we are so manie wayes culpable, hee yet receiueth vs as iust and righteous. Let vs compare together the iustice wee obteine by the meanes of faith, and the malediction which is on vs, wherein wee are plunged. Are wee culpable before GOD of one offence, of three, of anie number? Nay rather, are wee not plunged into such bottomlesse gulfes, that when wee shall beginne to make our account, we shalbe ouerwhelmed and confounded with the multitude of our offences? An hundred millians of faultes are the hundreth part of them which wee haue committed in the sight