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

It this had been in all times well observed, we should not have been at this day so encumbered, to amend the corruptions which reign throughout the world. For, from whence cometh it, that men have corrupted all religion, and the service of GOD, as we see it is come to pass in Popery? The Papists will vaunt and boast themselves of serving GOD, when they shall have their solemnities, their ceremonies, and other like trash. And whence is this? Even from this, that they have presumed to add some thing to the word of GOD, when they thought it not sufficient, that GOD should be served after his own manner and fashion: but men must rear up some new devises in their brains, and fancy whatsoever they should think good. So then, all this which they call the service of God in Popery, is nothing else but a fardel of trumperies, which men have made up together, and not only this, but that which hath been spoken by the Prophet,¹ hath been accomplished in them: namely, That they have despised and set at naught the commandments of GOD, while they have been given to their own inventions. And men see the wickedness and mischief which is happened by this devilish boldness and presumption, when men have gone about to disguise the word of GOD by their lies, and dreams, and dotages. So much the more diligently therefore ought we to note this place, when it is said, That GOD having once spoken, added nothing to that which he had said. And in very deed, as I have already said, this is an horrible blasphemy, when men will attempt to find out, I know not what, some thing better than that which is contained in the law of GOD. This were to reprove him of a lie, or to think that he was not well advised, or happily that he forgot to give in commandment that which he ought. And shall men find out some thing better than he? Nay verily. Then let us learn to order our selves in such forte unto God, that we have this always imprinted in memory, that God having spoken, he made a full end and conclusion, to say, These are my limits & borders, whosoever will ⟨image 101⟩presume to go beyond, shall but venture further to break his neck. And in deed it can not otherwise be, but a ruin and destruction shall follow upon us, when we will not keep us in that high way, which God hath made, and hedged in for us.

It this had bene in all times well obserued, we should not haue bene at this daie so incumbered, to amend the corruptions whiche reigne throughout the worlde. For, from whence commeth it, that men haue corrupted all religion, and the seruice of GOD, as wee see it is come to passe in Poperie? The Papistes will vaunt and boaste themselues of seruing GOD, when they shall haue their solemnities, their ceremonies, and other like trash. And whence is this? Euen from this, that they haue presumed to adde some thing to the worde of GOD, when they thought it not sufficient, that GOD should be serued after his owne manner and fashion: but men must reare vp some new deuises in their braines, and fansie whatsoeuer they should thinke good. So then, all this which they call the seruice of God in Poperie, is nothing els but a fardell of trumperies, which men haue made vp together, and not onelie this, but that which hath bene spoken by the Prophet,