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

Therefore, when we be enticed and tickled with such foolish and vain lusts and desires, as to wish that GOD would do ⟨image 113⟩miracles, that we might hear the angels of heaven: let us return to think on this which is here said, and what is all flesh? Let us, I say, enter into this consideration, to bethink our selves what we are, and our own small ability shall sufficiently advise and advertise us, to give praise and thanks unto God, that he maketh us not feel his presence to consume & utterly to confound us, but with an amiable mildness and gentleness, allureth us to himself, when we hear men like our selves, and our brethren, which speak unto us in his person.

Therefore, when we be entised and tickled with such foolish and vaine lustes and desires, as to wishe that GOD would do ⟨image 113⟩miracles, that we might heare the angels of heauen: let vs returne to thinke on this which is here said, and what is all flesh? Let vs, I say, enter into this consideration, to bethinke our selues what wee are, and our owne small abilitie shall sufficiently aduise and aduertise vs, to geue praise and thankes vnto God, that he maketh vs not feele his presence to consume & vtterlie to confound vs, but with an amiable mildenesse and gentlenesse, allureth vs to himselfe, when we heare men like our selues, and our brethren, which speake vnto vs in his person.

And let us further note, that when the people of Israel say, What people hath heard the voice of the living God, and remained alive as we? It is to show unto us, that God would not that this should be drawn into consequence, for us to conclude any thing thereon. And therefore let us not allege this, to say: And why speaketh not God at this day unto us after a visible manner, as he hath done to his people in the mount? It pleased him then so to do, but we must not impose him a law, or think to bind him to continue to do that which he hath done for one time only. So as I have said, let us not abuse the graces of God, as despitefully to question against him in this sort, And seeing God hath done this at other times, why will he not do the like at this day? When men lift themselves up in this manner against God, behold, what a devilish presumption and overweening is in them. Let us then honour our God so far as to grant him this liberty, to manifest and declare himself unto us in such sort as it shall please him, and as he shall know it expedient & necessary for us. Let us not bind him by constraint to any necessity, for that it shall have pleased him for one time to use some especial grace, let us not desire him to do the same again, but content we our selves simply with his will, whereunto we must always be subject. In the end, it is said, Go thou near unto God, and hear all which he shall say unto thee, and declare thou it unto us, and we will hear it, and do it. We see here in the first place how the people desire that Moses should be the messenger, to bring them whatsoever he shall have received from God. And this is written for our instruction, that every one submit himself to the policy and rule of order which God hath established in his church. For (as I have already said) he will speak unto us by the mouth of men, that is the only purpose why he would there should be