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

It is true, that those which follow their good meanings, or which say, that they hold and stick unto those things, which have been determined by the Church, and by the ancient Fathers, may be for a time so besotted, that if one tell them, they hold as it were by the air, that they have no certain stay and assurance to lean unto, when they so rest themselves wholly one men, they will be still heady and obstinate: as we see the Papists, whom the devil hath so bewitched, that they are content to stand unto the resolutions, which men at their own lust and pleasure have made, and venturously despised the word of GOD: yea, albeit men bring manifest witnesses and testimonies from it, to reprove their superstitions, all is one with them, they are so dull and obstinate, that it skilleth not with them, whether GOD be contrary unto them or no. Men I say shall have this presumptuous boldness for a time, to venture to go on whither their fond imagination carrieth them, they shall indurate and harden them selves against GOD: but when they come to the trial, that GOD thoroughly toucheth ⟨p. 112⟩them with the virtue and power of his word, behold they are so astonished and amazed, that they know not what may become of them. So then let us note, that we shall have no certain and assured stay to rest upon, except our faith be grounded on the word of GOD, and that we may protest, that whatsoever we have, we hold from him, and account that this is the only truth, that we wander not in our own weenings and thinkings, or propose unto our selves the doctrine of men to lean unto, and to stay and to rest upon. When we hear that GOD in this place saith, I will tell thee the things wherein thou shalt instruct them: let us note, that we must also in like manner lean wholly upon him, that our faith must not be wavering and in doubt, being underpropped by the infallible verity of his word. And this is that we are to seek after when we come unto a sermon, that we may have this article fully ratified, and sealed up in our consciences, that we have the word of GOD, wherein our life consisteth.

It is true, that those whiche followe their good meaninges, or which say, that they hold and sticke vnto those things, which haue bene determined by the Church, and by the auncient Fathers, may bee for a time so besotted, that if one tell them, they hold as it were by the aire, that they haue no certeine stay and assurance to leane vnto, when they so rest themselues wholie one men, they will bee still headie and obstinate: as we see the Papists, whom the diuell hath so bewitched, that they are content to stande vnto the resolutions, which men at their owne lust and pleasure haue made, and venturousie despised the woord of GOD: yea, albeit men bring manifest witnesses and testimonies from it, to reproue their superstitions, all is one with them, they are so dull and obstinate, that it skilleth not with them, whether GOD bee contrarie vnto them or no. Men I say shall haue this presumptuous boldnesse for a time, to ventur to goe on whither their fond imagination carrieth them, they shall indurate and harden them selues against GOD: but when they come to the triall, that GOD thorouglie toucheth