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

Briefly, both by signs and wonders above and beneath, God hath declared that the Gospel proceeded from him, as we have already showed. So many maladies & sicknesses healed, so great wars appeased, so many other signs and wonders which were showed, were not to serve for one time only, but at this day the memory of them ought to remain: and we must receive this witness for a seal of our faith, that we doubt not, but that the dignity of the Gospel ought to be as great at this day, and that the authority ⟨p. 106⟩thereof is as well now ratified and confirmed, as it was then, when Christ wrought his miracles. And yet for all this, we see many of the uncredulous and unbelieving sort, which allege, that if they did see any miracles, they should be converted.

Brieflie, both by signes and wonders aboue and beneath, God hath declared that the Gospell proceeded from him, as wee haue alreadie shewed. So many maladies & sicknesses healed, so great warres appeased, so many other signes and wonders which were shewed, were not to serue for one time onelie, but at this daie the memorie of them ought to remaine: and wee must receiue this witnesse for a seale of our faith, that wee doubt not, but that the dignitie of the Gospell ought to bee as great at this day, and that the authoritie ⟨p. 106⟩thereof is as well nowe ratified and confirmed, as it was then, when Christ wrought his miracles. And yet for all this, we see manie of the vncredulous and vnbeleeuing sorte, which alledge, that if they did see any miracles, they should be conuerted.

But it is certain, if they were now presently showed, they would still remain in their obstinacy and stubbornness, & take thereby an occasion of further envenoming and impoisoning themselves against GOD. What remaineth then for us to do? We must learn (as I have said) to content our selves with that which GOD hath once done. If GOD hath given us more than he owed us, let us receive it, and with giving of thanks let us learn not to provoke his wrath and anger against us by an over presumptuous tempting of his patience. Behold then what we have to bear in mind in this place, when the people saith, Let the Lord speak unto us no more, for it sufficeth us that were have heard his voice, and yet have been permitted of him to live. And that this we have above declared may be more certainly confirmed unto us, let us bear in mind that which is here said, What flesh hath heard the voice of the living GOD and liveth? For by these words in this place, it is plainly showed, that the people of Israel spake not in their own name, but even in the behalf of all mankind. They say not only, What are all we to hear GOD speak? but, What is all flesh? And in very deed (as I have touched in the beginning) it cannot be, but men are either staring mad, or stark drunken, when they cannot humble themselves: for there needed no other thing for them to do, but to respect their own estate and condition, to say, What are we? There is nothing, neither in our bodies, nor in our souls, but frailty. We are not now remaining in our nature wherein we were first created: but being fallen therefrom into that estate we now are in, what are we but as a water which glideth away, as a smoke which passeth and vanisheth on a sudden? And which worse is, we are enemies of GOD, and he must needs be our adversary party, forasmuch as there is nothing in us to be found, but sin and wickedness.