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

Now this instruction appertaineth also unto us. For God would that the memory of these things should last for ever, and that the use of them should be perpetual. So then, behold GOD hath once displayed and laid open his glorious majesty, to the end we might learn to receive his word in all fear and humility. But withal he would also that the people of themselves should be constrained to say, It is not good that God speak unto us again, only let us have a man to bring us such doctrine as it shall please him to send us. And this rule is for to condemn us, if we follow not the example of this people, which hastily put forth themselves to speak in this sort. Now if any one allege, that this which was then spoken cannot bind us, he is easily thus answered: That if at this day God would do the like he did then, that is, would pronounce with his own mouth that which we now hear by the mouth of mortal men, it should be impossible for us to abide his glory: and not to be altogether overwhelmed therewith, and utterly confounded. And so let us learn, that this is here recited unto us, to the end that, in the person of the people of Israel, we know that God applieth himself to our slenderness and infirmity, when it pleaseth him to send us his word to be preached by men like unto our selves, which might be his messengers, respecting herein what is behoovefull and profitable for us. And know we, that this is an inordinate and foolish desire, to wish that God would appear unto us from heaven, or show us some apparent and visible miracle. For we cannot comprehend his majesty and glory. And although it be the proper nature of the law to fray us, yet appertaineth this as well unto the Gospel. For we must take this as a general rule, ⟨p. 102⟩that as soon as we feel the presence of God, we must needs be confounded. We see how the Angels hide their eyes, because the glory of God is greater than they can bear, and they are constrained to confess, that they are overweak to behold it as being creatures. What shall then be said of us? For we are far inferior unto the Angels. And there is beside in us an other thing, which maketh our infirmity the greater:

Now this instruction apperteineth also vnto vs. For God would that the memorie of these thinges should last for euer, and that the vse of them should bee perpetuall. So then, beholde GOD hath once displaied and laid open his glorious maiestie, to the ende wee might learne to receiue his worde in all feare and humilitie. But withall he would also that the people of themselues should bee constrained to say, It is not good that God speake vnto vs againe, onelie let vs haue a man to bring vs such doctrine as it shall please him to sende vs. And this rule is for to condemne vs, if we followe not the example of this people, which hastilie put forth themselues to speake in this sorte. Now if any one alledge, that this which was then spoken cannot binde vs, he is easilie thus answered: That if at this day God would doe the like he did then, that is, would pronounce with his owne mouth that which we now heare by the mouth of mortall men, it should bee impossible for vs to abide his glorie: and not to be altogether ouerwhelmed therewith, and vtterlie confounded. And so let vs learne, that this is here recited vnto vs, to the ende that, in the person of the people of Israel, wee knowe that God applieth himselfe to our slendernesse and infirmitie, when it pleaseth him to sende vs his worde to bee preached by men like vnto our selues, which might bee his messengers, respecting herein what is behoouefull and profitable for vs. And knowe we, that this is an inordinate and foolish desire, to wishe that God would appeare vnto vs from heauen, or shew vs some apparant and visible miracle. For we cannot comprehend his maiestie and glorie. And although it bee the proper nature of the lawe to fraie vs, yet apperteineth this as well vnto the Gospell. For wee must take this as a generall rule,