A17717:279
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.
Deut. Chap. 5. 23 And when ye heard the voice out of the middest of the darkness, because the mountain did burn, ye came to me all the chief of your tribes and your elders. 24 And ye said, Behold the Lord our God hath showed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the middest of the fire, we have seen this day that God hath talked with man, and he remaineth living. 25 And now why should we die? &c.
Deut. Chap. 5. 23 And when ye heard the voyce out of the middest of the darknesse, because the mountaine did burne, ye came to me all the chiefe of your tribes and your elders. 24 And ye said, Behold the Lorde our God hath shewed vs his glorie and his greatnesse, and wee haue heard his voyce out of the middest of the fire, we haue seene this day that God hath talked with man, and he remaineth liuing. 25 And now why should we die? &c.
WE think if God in stead of preaching his word by the mean and ministry of men, should in his own majesty speak, or that some Angel sent from him should appear unto us, that we should be more lively touched than we are, and that the whole world incontinently would be converted, that every one would yield obedience without any either contradiction or rebellion. But alas, we know not what is convenient and profitable for us. For if we considered of our own frailty and weakness, we would soon understand that it is not possible for God, to touch us with his majesty and power, but he must needs altogether overwhelm and confound us. Therefore, when men desire that GOD would manifestly show himself with some visible sign, or that he would descend from the heavens to teach them, they know not what ones themselves are, neither consider they how weak and frail their condition is. For if they would well consider and bethink themselves hereof, the infinite glory of GOD would strike them with a wonderful fear and trembling, knowing full well, that they are not able to bear it. Therefore let us know that GOD procureth our profit and salvation, when he declareth unto us his will by the mouth of men, when he ordaineth and appointeth ministers ⟨image 107⟩of his word, to be messengers unto us of such things as he knoweth to be meet and convenient for us. And yet so is it, that for once he would by evident proof hold men convicted, that it were not good and profitable for them to hear his voice thunder from heaven. And that is the cause why he would publish his law, not simply by Moses, but descending in his own person, as we have already handled. And yesterday we said, that the lightnings, the whirlwind, and the flaming fire, and all that we read of in the 19. and 20. of Exodus, that all this (I say) was done, to the end the people of Israel should learn to bear greater reverence unto the word of God.