A17717:287
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.
As at this time, if we will be true disciples of GOD, when we come unto the sermon, we must call to mind this which Moses reciteth, That the Law was published in such sort, that it was God himself which spake and pronounced it. And again, we must adjoin in the second place, the witness we have alleged, that this sentence of God resound and ring again in our ears, when he hath pronounced: That our Lord Jesus Christ is he, whom he will ⟨p. 104⟩have men to hear. Lo an authentic and sure seal we have, that the word of God, albeit it be brought unto us by mortal men, should be of full and perfect authority with us, as it deserveth. And to the end that men should not think, that Jesus Christ only ought to be heard in his own person,1 he saith: He that heareth you, heareth me: and he which refuseth or despiseth you, he refuseth both me, and him which hath sent me. Indeed the Pope and his sacrilegious adherents, usurp this sentence for to establish their tyranny: but it appertaineth as much to them, as to the devil of hell. And why? For they should first of all bring us the pure doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ: seeing the son of GOD hath not so resigned his office unto men, as to despoil himself thereof: he will not have us governed after the appetite and lust of men, but he will always have that preeminence over us, and that rule and empire, which hath been committed into his hands. So then, when it is said, That in hearing of them whom he hath sent, we hear him, it is meant, that if we obey the doctrine of his Gospel, not despising it when it is published unto us by men, it is as much as if he spake unto us: admonishing us hereby, that we stay not our selves on the outward appearance we behold with our eyes. And this is that which Saint Paul saith,2 That albeit we be brittle bessels: yea, broken pots of no value, yet this inestimable treasure, which is committed unto us, is not therefore of less price and estimation, neither ought the dignity & worthiness of it for this cause be diminished. True it is, that we are not able to procure unto the word of God such a reverence as gladly we would and desire. And why? For there is in us nothing, nothing I say of our own, which may make for the advancing of the glory of GOD:
As at this time, if wee will bee true disciples of GOD, when wee come vnto the sermon, wee must call to minde this whiche Moses reciteth, That the Lawe was published in such sort, that it was God himselfe which spake and pronounced it. And againe, we must adioyne in the seconde place, the witnesse wee haue alledged, that this sentence of God resound and ring again in our eares, when he hath pronounced: That our Lord Iesus Christ is he, whom he will