A17717:307
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.
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.
Nowe, when wee knowe that the lawe conteineth a iustice ouer highe for vs to reache vnto, and that on our part wee are so weake and feeble, that it is pitie to beholde, then shall wee ⟨image 117⟩