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

For this is the cause of our ruin and destruction, when we think our selves able to do all things whatsoever: and GOD by good right laugheth to scorn in the mean time such arrogance and overweening of men. But learn we to feel our own weakness, how we are able to do nothing. And albeit that we are bound to accomplish whatsoever GOD commandeth us, that this is not to say, that we therefore have the mean to do it: yea rather, we want all power and ability to perform it. For it is not so small and easy a matter to love GOD with all our hearts, to love GOD with all our minds, with all our power, and strength, and might, that we need but to say: Yea, we will go roundly away herein: but let us know that this surmounteth and exceedeth all the ability which is in men.

For this is the cause of our ruine and destruction, when we thinke our selues able to doe all thinges whatsoeuer: and GOD by good right laugheth to scorne in the meane time suche arrogancie and ouerweening of men. But learne wee to feele our owne weakenesse, howe wee are able to doe nothing. And albeit that wee are bounde to accomplishe whatsoeuer GOD commaundeth vs, that this is not to say, that we therefore haue the meane to doe it: yea rather, wee want all power and abilitie to perfourme it. For it is not so small and easie a matter to loue GOD with all our hearts, to loue GOD with all our mindes, with all our power, and strength, and might, that wee neede but to say: Yea, we will go roundlie away herein: but let vs knowe that this surmounteth and exceedeth all the abilitie which is in men.

Now, when we know that the law containeth a justice over high for us to reach unto, and that on our part we are so weak and feeble, that it is pity to behold, then shall we ⟨image 117⟩learn to lament and bewail our selves before God, and understanding full well, that we are bound to do whatsoever he commandeth, we shall desire that he will give us the power, that he will aide us by his holy spirit, and that not only he will support us in our frailty and weakness, but that he will begin and perfect that which is in us, that he will give us a will and desire, and confirm and continue the same in us, and that afterward, when he shall have given us a constancy to persist in our desire, he will give us also the power to accomplish all that which we shall have well desired. Now withal GOD in this place showeth, that when he sendeth us his word, it is for this end, to join and knit him self with us, that we also may be united unto him: so that he demandeth nothing but obedience, that when we shall become children unto him, he may show himself our loving father. Behold then for what intent God will that his word be preached unto us: namely, that we may be gathered under his wings, that he may protect and defend us, that he may save us: yea, under this condition, that we come unto him quietly, and that we suffer our selves to be governed by his word, and to be subject thereunto. True it is (as we have already touched) that this is not in our power, that God must bestow on us the grace hereto, and that he giveth not this grace unto all. But we are not here to inquire after the secrete counsel of God, what the cause is, that he reformeth and reneweth some by his holy spirit, and that he leaveth others to wander according to the corruption and wickedness of their own nature, and never draweth them back into the right way. We must not entangle our selves in this Labyrinth: but let it suffice us to know, that God would show that men are inexcusable, when he sayeth: O, I could wish it might be so: as if he said, That after that we have been taught in his word, we have no excuse, GOD shall not be in fault, if we be not saved. And why? For if we walk as he commandeth us, we shall perceive that this is the way to come to all blessedness.