A17717:263
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.
It is sufficient, that we know in part,1 as Saint Paul speaketh, and in darkness, beholding as it were in a glass, that which we can not see as yet face to face. All this is very true: yet so is it notwithstanding, that God hath so conformed and abased him self unto our rudeness and slenderness, that these things are easy unto us, or at the least we shall be able to understand so much, as is profitable for our salvation. If with all there be things doubtful and obscure, let this sobriety be in us, that we advance not our own judgements, but that we first ask counsel at the mouth of GOD, knowing that we are yet far from our perfection. And yet, according to the measure, which he hath given us, we may always glory in this, that our Lord Jesus Christ will not leave us in doubtfulness and ignorance, but that he will give us so sure and certain a way, as wherein we shall be able to walk with great assurance: knowing that he hath not called us in vain unto him self, when we shall not have any uncertain, and wandering course to run, but so certain a mark proposed, as whereunto if we shall direct our race, we shall not need to fear any erring, as destitute of some good guiding and direction. Let us therefore bear in mind, that our Lord hath not spoken according unto his own nature. For if he would speak in his own language, should he be understood of mortal creatures? Alas no. But how speaketh he unto us in the holy scripture? Verily he lispeth and stutteth for our better understanding. Saint Paul saith, that he became as a nurse of little children, when he preached the Gospel. Now when he spake it of himself,2 there is no doubt, but that he would show thereby the goodness of God, which so governed him by his holy spirit. And this which is in S. Paul, we shall find likewise in Moses, & in all the Prophets. Let us then diligently note, that God is made as it were a nurse, which will not speak unto her infant, as she would unto a man, but will have respect unto the capacity of it. So God abaseth him self, forasmuch as we could not understand what he said, except he submitted him self to our understanding. Lo, for what cause he is like a nurse in the holy scripture, that men might not perceive his great and infinite majesty, to the which we can not come, nor approach any thing near unto it.
It is sufficient, that wee knowe in part,1