A17717:283
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.
Now consider we, whether we are able to discharge our selves herein. Nay contrariwise, whether we be not as poor and miserable debtors, which have not one farthing to pay. Ye see then in what a desperate case we are. For however the case standeth with us, God dischargeth us not, but declareth that we are worthy to be accursed and condemned of him. And for this cause having showed how the life of men ought to be ordered, he addeth this curse and malediction as thundering on us,1 Cursed are they which observe & accomplish not all those things which are here contained. As if he said, All men must pass here under condemnation, from the greatest to the least, ⟨image 108⟩all must know they are indebted unto me, and that by right I may cast them down to the bottomless pit of hell. If I pronounce this sentence, there is not one may be able to reply against me, for all are utterly lost and condemned. Behold the language and speech of the law, behold the style which God useth, and now must not all needs tremble hereat? It is not then without great cause said, That the law frayeth us: and if withal it should please God severely to require of us that which we owe him, we must all needs perish and be confounded. Now in the Gospel there is no such thing: for there GOD beareth with us, and not only pardoneth us our faults, but he writeth also his will in our hearts. Moreover, albeit we serve him but by halves, yet he pardoneth us our default, and (as I may say) winketh and closeth his eyes when we are halting in our duty. And as a father dealeth not over straightly and precisely with his child to oppress him, so God in his Gospel useth a fatherly gentleness towards us, that we should not fear to come unto him.
Now consider we, whether wee are able to discharge our selues herein. Nay contrariwise, whether we bee not as poore and miserable debters, which haue not one farthing to pay. Ye see then in what a desperate case we are. For howeuer the case standeth with vs, God dischargeth vs not, but declareth that we are worthie to beaccursed and condemned of him. And for this cause hauing shewed how the life of men ought to be ordered, he addeth this curse and malediction as thundring on vs,1 Cursed are they which obserue & accomplish not all those thinges which are here conteined. As if hee said, All men must passe here vnder condemnation, from the greatest to the least,