A17717:318
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.
True it is, every one desireth to be at his ease, and in prosperity, we need not to be taught to wish this unto our selves, for our nature leadeth us hereunto? but for all this, it seemeth that we have conspired our own misery and wretchedness. For the mean to prosper is this, that we be obedient unto God, and then he shall bless us, in such for, that we shall feel the fruits thereof in all things. But what? We will not yield him the obedience which is due unto him, and therefore we must needs be deprived of his blessing, he must needs reject and refuse us, as if we were not worthy to be in the number of his creatures. And so let us note, that God would in this place reprove men, and show them that they are themselves the cause of all the misery and wretchedness they suffer in this world, and that they must attribute it to their sin and wickedness. But he would moreover withal allure his unto himself, when he setteth before them a reward: as if he said: Go to, there is great cause why I should be served of you, I deserve it full well at your hands, though you have small regard of me: for seeing that you are my creatures, is it not good reason that you be my subjects, and render all obedience unto me? Ought you not for the whole time of your life to be given over unto me? But yet I will not request you to serve me for gramercy? I will for bear mine own right in this behalf: so that whereas ye are bound to do all that I command you, without looking or hoping for any thing: lo, I yet tell you, that I am at hand to bless you, & to make you prosper when you shall serve me. When our Lord speaketh thus, he showeth that he will in most loving and amiable wise, win his unto himself, that he will (as it were) break ⟨image 122⟩their heart, that they might be the better affectionated, & more willingly disposed to serve and please him: seeing that he cometh not unto them, with such rigour and severity as he might: but yielding of the right which appertaineth unto him, chooseth rather to execute the office of a Father, saying, That if we will be his children, he will be a liberal and bountiful Father towards us: and albeit he oweth us nothing of duty, yet will he bestow a reward on us for the service which we shall have done him.
True it is, euerie one desireth to bee at his ease, and in prosperitie, wee neede not to bee taught to wishe this vnto our selues, for our nature leadeth vs herevnto? but for all this, it seemeth that wee haue conspired our owne miserie and wretchednes. For the meane to prosper is this, that we be obedient vnto God, and then he shall blesse vs, in such for, that we shall feele the fruites thereof in all things. But what? We will not yeeld him the obedience which is due vnto him, and therefore we must needes bee depriued of his blessing, hee must needes reiect and refuse vs, as if we were not worthie to bee in the number of his creatures. And so let vs note, that God would in this place reproue men, and shew them that they are themselues the cause of all the miserie and wretchednesse they suffer in this worlde, and that they must attribute it to their sinne and wickednesse. But hee would moreouer withall allure his vnto himselfe, when he setteth before them a reward: as if he said: Go to, there is great cause why I should be serued of you, I deserue it full well at your hands, though you haue small regard of me: for seeing that you are my creatures, is it not good reason that you be my subiectes, and render all obedience vnto me? Ought you not for the whole time of your life to bee giuen ouer vnto me? But yet I will not request you to serue me for gramercie? I will for beare mine owne right in this behalfe: so that whereas ye are bound to doe all that I commande you, without looking or hoping for anie thing: loe, I yet tell you, that I am at hand to blesse you, & to make you prosper when you shall serue me. When our Lord speaketh thus, he sheweth that he will in most louing and amiable wise, winne his vnto himselfe, that he will (as it were) break