A17717:317
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.
But here one might make a question, whether it be possible, that we may walk altogether in the way of God? For contrariwise, seeing it is so, that men do not the good they desire to do, it shall be much when we shall have endeavoured to come to the right way, and to go as far forward towards the end as we may, though we come not thereto. Saint Paul him self complaineth, that he could not do that,1 which he had desired for to discharge his duty towards God. But here is no speaking of such perfection as is required in the law: but we must only understand, that God will have men employ them selves with all diligence in his service, and that they enforce them selves thereto, that they make their race therein, albeit they can not attain the end thereof. Therefore, although for all our life time we go as drailing our legs after us, and that we come not fully and perfectly unto God, yet must we proceed hereunto, and go on forward, not in part only, but in all that which is contained in the law. It is true, that we can not acquit our selves herein, in such sort, that there be a full and correspondent agreement between the word of God, and our life: but when we shall have this desire to order our selves unto God, and to conform our selves unto his will, not in one point or article only, but in all without exception: and when we shall have bestowed our whole travel and industry herein, behold, how we shall hold us in all the way of GOD. ⟨p. 115⟩For he beareth with us in such sort, that he accepteth in good part such a desire, when he seeth us to go roundly to work in his service, and that we double not with him, and that we reserve not to our selves our own lusts and desires, nor yield us the liberty and leave to fulfil them, but that we labour to please and to serve him as much as we may, and according unto the grace which is given us. Now withal he also adjoineth, That they may prosper, and that it may be well both with them, and with their children. Wherein he giveth us to understand, that (as we have already touched) all the miseries and afflictions which we endure in this world, are so many chastisements and corrections for our sins. And we cannot say that we are any other way miserable and unhappy, but by our own fault.
But here one might make a question, whether it be possible, that we may walke altogether in the way of God? For contrariwise, seeing it is so, that men doe not the good they desire to doe, it shalbe much when we shall haue endeuoured to come to the right way, and to goe as far forward towardes the end as we may, though we come not thereto. Saint Paule him selfe complaineth, that he could not do that,