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

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.

WE thinke if God in stead of preaching his worde by the meane and ministerie of men, should in his owne maiestie speake, or that some Angel sent from him should appeare vnto vs, that wee should bee more liuelie touched than we are, and that the whole world incontinently would be conuerted, that euerie one would yeld obedience without any either contradiction or rebellion. But alas, we knowe not what is conuenient and profitable for vs. For if wee considered of our owne frailtie and weakenesse, wee would soone vnderstand that it is not possible for God, to touche vs with his maiestie and power, but hee must needes altogether ouerwhelme and confounde vs. Therefore, when men desire that GOD would manifestlie shew himselfe with some visible signe, or that hee would descend from the heauens to teache them, they knowe not what ones themselues are, neither consider they howe weake and fraile their condition is. For if they would well consider and bethinke themselues hereof, the infinite glorie of GOD would strike them with a wonderfull feare and trembling, knowing full well, that they are not able to beare it. Therefore let vs knowe that GOD procureth our profite and saluation, when hee declareth vnto vs his will by the mouth of men, when hee ordeineth and appointeth ministers