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

and that the remembrance hereof should remain so fresh in our memory, that when we shall call to mind this which happened for one time, we be humbled under the majesty of our God, and that when we would proudly and presumptuously lift up our selves against him, this fire which then burned to fear the people, the thick & dark cloud likewise come before our eyes, that we remember also, how the mount was seen to smoke, & that all this may be to hold us in such a fright and fear, that all loftiness and haughtiness of ours be beaten down, that we may bethink us to come and present our selves to our God, to be led by him whither he will, and that we may follow, most willingly, whither soever we shall be called of him. Ye see then whereunto we must refer this which is here touched, of the smoke, of the flame of fire, and of the thick cloud. And withal, let us note, that when God appeared in a whirlwind, and in an obscure and dark cloud, this was to repress and keep down the curiosity of men. It is true (as we have already touched) that GOD speaketh to be understood, that he useth no doubtful and ambiguous words, that he fetcheth no long circumstances (as we say) but manifesteth and openeth his will so clearly and plainly, that the fault shall be no where but in us, if we be not perfectly instructed therein, if we will but lend our ears to hear him. But in the mean time, we must not bring with us such a foolish curiosity, as to inquire, beyond measure, of what we list: as we see men inclined to such a foolish ambition, that their ears are always itching, and they will say: I would ⟨p. 78⟩know this and that. Now, behold how our Lord God opposeth him self contrarily, and sayeth: Will you know this and that? Lo, a thick cloud which hindereth you: consider of this obscurity and darkness which you see. So let us learn, that if we will be good scholars under God, we must not loose the bridle to our own fantasies, to be inquisitive after that which ought to be hidden from us: but let us content our selves with that, which shall be spoken unto us in the name of God, and let us wait for that day, wherein we shall have a full manifestation of the rest which is now incomprehensible: briefly, let us be ignorant of that which God will not declare us.

and that the remembrance hereof should remaine so fresh in our memorie, that when we shal call to minde this which happened for one time, we be humbled vnder the maiestie of our God, and that when we would proudly and presumptuouslie lift vp our selues against him, this fire which then burned to feare the people, the thicke & darke cloude likewise come before our eyes, that we remember also, howe the mount was seene to smoke, & that all this may be to holde vs in such a fright and feare, that all loftinesse and hautinesse of ours be beaten downe, that we may bethink vs to come and present our selues to our God, to bee led by him whither he will, and that we may followe, most willinglie, whither soeuer we shalbe called of him. Ye see then wherevnto we must referre this which is here touched, of the smoke, of the flame of fire, and of the thicke cloud. And withall, let vs note, that when God appeared in a whirlewind, and in an obscure and darke cloud, this was to represse and keepe downe the curiositie of men. It is true (as we haue alreadie touched) that GOD speaketh to be vnderstoode, that he vseth no doubtfull and ambiguous wordes, that he fetcheth no long circumstances (as we say) but manifesteth and openeth his will so clerelie and plainlie, that the fault shalbe no where but in vs, if we bee not perfectlie instructed therein, if wee will but lende our eares to heare him. But in the meane time, wee must not bring with vs such a foolishe curiositie, as to inquire, beyonde measure, of what wee list: as wee see men inclined to such a foolishe ambition, that their eares are alwayes itching, and they will say: I would