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

Let us therefore note, that when Moses saith, That God added nothing to these ten sentences, it is to this end, that we should show our selves more easy to be taught, and be the more encouraged, knowing that God will not make us to wander, and take endless labour, as in a thing which hath neither bank nor bottom: but he proposeth unto us only ten sentences. True it is, that he hath expounded these ten commandments by Moses. And again, consequently by the Prophets. Lastly, we have had the final declaration of them by our Lord Jesus Christ, as it is at this day delivered us in the Gospel. But what? We have yet this mark, whereunto we must always order our selves. We have but ten words for our lesson, and seeing it is so, ought we not to judge our selves very froward and perverse, if we despise so great grace of God, and if we come not unto him, when he handleth us after so gentle a manner? This we have then briefly to bear in mind of this easiness and plainness which Moses showeth us to be in the word of GOD. And withal let us also note, that he would hereby warn us, that we learn to content our selves with the simplicity of the law, that we advise our selves how we come to control GOD, to clout our patches and pieces to his word. For when he spake, he spake once for all, and will that men hold themselves to that he hath said. As we shall see hereafter, how he hath straightly forbidden us to bend either to the right hand, or to the left, or to add any thing to his doctrine. And in very deed, seeing GOD hath adjoined nothing thereto, who are we, to enterprise and take in hand any thing above him? Think we, that when GOD delivered his law, he had lost his memory, and knew not what was profitable for us? Can a man bethink himself of that which hath been unknown unto GOD? And again, beside all this, when our Lord hath so applied himself unto us, think we he would instruct us by halves, and leave us in the middest of the way? Let us therefore bear in mind, that seeing GOD having pronounced ⟨p. 96⟩these ten sentences, added nothing unto them: we must so wholly apply and rest our selves simply on that doctrine which is contained in his law, that we venture not to interlace any thing of our own whatsoever? but let us know, that this is our perfect wisdom, to be obedient unto our GOD.

Let vs therefore note, that when Moses saith, That God added nothing to these tenne sentences, it is to this end, that wee should shew our selues more easie to bee taught, and bee the more encouraged, knowing that God will not make vs to wander, and take endlesse labour, as in a thing which hath neither banke nor bottome: but he proposeth vnto vs onelie ten sentences. True it is, that hee hath expounded these tenne commaundementes by Moses. And againe, consequentlie by the Prophetes. Lastlie, we haue had the finall declaration of them by our Lorde Iesus Christ, as it is at this day deliuered vs in the Gospell. But what? Wee haue yet this marke, wherevnto we must alwayes order our selues. Wee haue but tenne wordes for our lesson, and seeing it is so, ought wee not to iudge our selues verie frowarde and peruerse, if wee despise so great grace of God, and if we come not vnto him, when hee handleth vs after so gentle a manner? This wee haue then briefly to beare in mind of this easinesse and plainenesse which Moses sheweth vs to bee in the worde of GOD. And withall let vs also note, that he would hereby warne vs, that we learne to content our selues with the simplicitie of the lawe, that wee aduise our selues how wee come to controll GOD, to cloute our patches and pieces to his worde. For when he spake, hee spake once for all, and will that men hold themselues to that he hath said. As we shall see hereafter, how he hath streightlie forbidden vs to bende either to the right hande, or to the left, or to adde any thing to his doctrine. And in verie deed, seeing GOD hath adioyned nothing thereto, who are wee, to enterprise and take in hande any thing aboue him? Thinke wee, that when GOD deliuered his lawe, hee had lost his memorie, and knew not what was profitable for vs? Can a man bethinke himselfe of that which hath bene vnknowen vnto GOD? And againe, beside all this, when our Lorde hath so applied himselfe vnto vs, thinke wee hee would instruct vs by halfes, and leaue vs in the middest of the way? Let vs therefore beare in minde, that seeing GOD hauing pronounced