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 this is the cause why the Apostle in the epistle to the Hebrews saith,¹ That we are not come to this mount which smoketh, that we are not come to Sinai, to see the burning fire which might astonish us, to see the lightnings, and all those other things which were to amaze and confound the people: but that we hear a sweet and pleasant melody, by the which we are accompanied of the angels of heaven, with the souls of the holy Patriarchs, and of the fathers, which lived in the hope of eternal life, (although they had yet nothing but obscure shadows) that God now coupleth & joineth us with them which in old time have waited for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Seeing it is so, we must not draw back, but every one must set himself forward, to come with a bold courage to hear our GOD, forasmuch as he speaketh so gently and lovingly unto us, and useth so fatherly a speech, as which serveth not to fear and amaze his children, but sweetly to entice them, and to win their hearts unto him. This difference therefore is worthy to be noted, that in comparison of the law, the Gospel may seem sweet and amiable unto us. But for all this, we must return to this general principle: namely, that it is much better that the word of GOD be preached unto us ⟨p. 103⟩by the mouth of men, than if GOD him self should thunder from heaven. And why? For hear we only this natural thunder, and behold we are taken with a great astonishment, and yet here is nothing expressed. God only maketh a noise with a confused and unperfect sound. What should be then, when he should speak unto us, and when he should show us his glory? We can not look on the Sun, which his a corruptible creature: and how then shall we be able to behold the majesty of GOD, if it were fully showed us, and in his perfection? And therefore it is said, that a mortal creature can not see GOD and live, can not behold his glory, and not be utterly confounded.

And this is the cause why the Apostle in the epistle to the Hebrewes saith,¹ That we are not come to this mount which smoketh, that wee are not come to Sinai, to see the bruning fire which might astonnish vs, to see the lightenings, and all those other thinges which were to amaze and confound the people: but that we heare a sweete and pleasaunt melodie, by the which we are accompanied of the angels of heauen, with the soules of the holy Patriarches, and of the fathers, which liued in the hope of eternall life, (although they had yet nothing but obscure shadowes) that God now coupleth & ioyneth vs with them which in olde time haue waited for the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. Seeing it is so, we must not drawe backe, but euerie one must set himselfe forwarde, to come with a bolde courage to heare our GOD, forasmuch as hee speaketh so gentlie and louinglie vnto vs, and vseth so fatherlie a speache, as which serueth not to feare and amaze his children, but sweetelie to entise them, and to winne their heartes vnto him. This difference therefore is worthie to bee noted, that in comparison of the lawe, the Gospell may seeme sweete and amiable vnto vs. But for all this, wee must returne to this generall principle: namelie, that it is much better that the worde of GOD bee preached vnto vs