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

Now he afterward addeth, That this must be done without turning either to the right hand or to the left, but that altogether they walk in that way, which he hath showed them. True it is, that this place shall be expounded more at large in the twelfth Chap. of this book: but yet we must not so pass it over in this place, but that we understand what God meant to say in forbidding us, That we be not turned, neither unto the right hand nor to the left. For he showeth us, that his pleasure and will is in all things to be hearkened unto of us, nothing whatsoever excepted. Now this importeth two things: that is, we neither add unto, nor diminish any thing from his law. To add any thing is, as if we would turn on the right hand. For they which add unto the law of God, do it as thinking that it is not enough to observe all that which is therein contained, but that it were good to put somewhat more thereunto. Lo how men would have some place for their fantasies, that if they can bethink them selves of any thing, it seemeth them that God hath forgotten it, and that it were good to be observed. And behold what hath been the cause of making so many ordinances, so many laws, & ceremonies, in Popery. The Jews had the like vice reigning among them as it is upbraided them, that by their traditions they had set at naught the statutes and commandments of God. So then let us beware how we walk rightly,¹ I mean on the right hand, to turn our selves from the way which God hath showed us. And why? We turn then on the right hand, when we will be to wise, and to just, and when we think it is good to do more than we are commanded. But herein we are the servants and ministers of the devil, for GOD disalloweth whatsoever we shall add unto his word, he will no such medley. Now we decline unto the left hand, when we diminish and take away any thing from the word of God, namely, when we think we have done enough, if we have discharged half our duty, and that for the rest he giveth us leave to follow ⟨p. 114⟩our own lusts and desires: A man that shall not be subject to some number of vices, will happily desire to acquit him self towards God so far forth: but because he can not restrain him self from some one, he would that God should notwithstanding be contented, & give him leave to condition with him, to say:

Nowe he afterwarde addeth, That this must be done without turning either to the right hand or to the left, but that altogether they walke in that way, which he hath shewed them. True it is, that this place shalbe expounded more at large in the twelfth Chap. of this booke: but yet wee must not so passe it ouer in this place, but that wee vnderstande what God meant to say in forbidding vs, That wee bee not turned, neither vnto the right hand nor to the left. For he sheweth vs, that his pleasure and will is in all things to bee hearkened vnto of vs, nothing whatsoeuer excepted. Now this importeth two thinges: that is, wee neither adde vnto, nor diminish any thing from his lawe. To adde any thing is, as if wee woulde turne on the right hand. For they which adde vnto the lawe of God, doe it as thinking that it is not enough to obserue all that which is therein conteined, but that it were good to put somewhat more therevnto. Loe how men woulde haue some place for their fantasies, that if they can bethinke them selues of any thing, it seemeth them that God hath forgotten it, and that it were good to bee obserued. And beholde what hath bene the cause of making so many ordinances, so many lawes, & ceremonies, in Poperie. The Iewes had the like vice reigning among them as it is vpbraided them, that by their traditions they had set at naught the statutes and commandements of God. So then let vs beware howe wee walke rightlie,