A17717:305
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.
So then seek to further who shall give them the power to observe thy commandments, but show thou forth in them the virtue and power of thy spirit, and then they shall keep them: as we shall hereafter see that God saith,1 I will give you the will and power to fear me. If this were in us, what should he need to say thus? But he pronounceth that it is in him to do this. As he addeth by his Prophet,2 I will give them an heart to obey me. We shall see as much said to this purpose hereafter,3 I will cause that they shall keep my commandments. God therefore challengeth this office unto him self of instructing men, and of governing them by his holy spirit, to the end they may be subject unto him, and that they order themselves to his justice. And wherefore then in this place ⟨p. 110⟩seemeth he to wish this? It is for that (as in many other places) he speaketh after the manner and fashion of men. And this is to the end, that we may better understand, as I have already touched, that when men speak unto us of walking in the obedience of God, that this is not done without great difficulty, and that all our seuses may be more throughly awakened, to apply our selves willingly and painfully unto such a study. Therefore in stead of this, that men lightly promise without any long deliberation, that they will work, I know not what miracles, that they will obey GOD, that they will observe the law, let us know, that we must examine what power and strength is in us, and then shall we perceive how weak we are, we shall see that we are so far from being able to perform all that which is commanded us, that we know not where to begin: nay, we know not how to conceive one good thought, until GOD hath reformed us, and drawn us unto himself, that he giveth us the will, and bestoweth withal on us the power to put in execution and practise, that which we shall have willed. Ye see then what this word importeth, And who shall give them the will? Or, I would it might be so. By this let us be admonished, not to presume on our own power and strength, to be over hardy and venturous in matters concerning God.
So then seeke to further who shall giue them the power to obserue thy commaundements, but shewe thou foorth in them the vertue and power of thy spirite, and then they shall keepe them: as wee shall hereafter see that God saith,