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 hereby we are admonished, that it pleaseth GOD, by so great gentleness and liberality, to allure and win us unto himself. But we must not hereupon infer, that men may merit and deserve any thing by serving of God. As the Papists, when they hear such places, they run to their merits: and it seemeth unto them that GOD is further bound and beholding unto them than he hath promised. But God contrariwise meaneth to show us that he is ready to apply himself to us, and to the fashion of men, that he desireth nothing else but to win us by all gentleness unto his obedience. And this is not for any profit that he receiveth thereby: as in very deed, what profit shall he receive when we shall have accomplished his whole law? Is this any way to his gain and advantage? No. But it maketh for our salvation. Ye see then what the intent and purpose of God is, & what we have to note upon this sentence. So let us learn that when we shall have obeyed our God, if he make us to prosper, that this is not for that he oweth us any thing, and that we have deserved it, and that we may vaunt that he giveth us no more than we deserve: but it pleaseth him to display and lay open his bountiful goodness towards us, even to call that a reward and recompense, which he of his mere and free liberality giveth us, without being therefore bound and indebted unto us. Moreover, when he chastiseth us, and that we are subject to so many miseries, let us know, that we do but gather in the fruits of our own seed. Because we have led an evil life, our Lord must needs show some sign and taken of his anger, that it may be known he is Judge of the world. But he hath also as well a regard unto our profit: that is, that we might be sorry for our faults, and be in displeasure with our selves for them, and that we should have our recourse unto him, in true and unfeigned repentance. Lo how GOD, when he showeth his anger towards us, ceaseth ⟨p. 116⟩not to declare his love: for he seeketh to win us unto himself. He seeth that we are brought asleep in our sins, and he awaketh us, knowing that it is expedient and necessary that he should so do. Thus we see what we have to note upon this place. Now in the end, Moses speaketh of the land they were to possess, and sayeth, That thou mayest prosper in the land which I shall give thee.

Nowe hereby we are admonished, that it pleaseth GOD, by so great gentlenesse and liberalitie, to allure and winne vs vnto himselfe. But we must not herevpon inferre, that men may merite and deserue any thing by seruing of God. As the Papists, when they heare such places, they runne to their merites: and it seemeth vnto them that GOD is further bounde and beholding vnto them than hee hath promised. But God contrariwise meaneth to shewe vs that he is readie to applie himselfe to vs, and to the fashion of men, that he desireth nothing else but to winne vs by all gentlenesse vnto his obedience. And this is not for anie profite that he receiueth thereby: as in verie deede, what profite shall he receiue when wee shall haue accomplished his whole lawe? Is this anie way to his gaine and aduantage? No. But it maketh for our saluation. Ye see then what the intent and purpose of God is, & what we haue to note vpon this sentence. So let vs learne that when we shall haue obeyed our God, if he make vs to prosper, that this is not for that he oweth vs anie thing, and that wee haue deserued it, and that wee may vaunt that he giueth vs no more than we deserue: but it pleaseth him to display and lay open his bountifull goodnesse towardes vs, euen to call that a rewarde and recompense, which he of his mere and free liberalitie giueth vs, without being therefore bounde and indebted vnto vs. Moreouer, when hee chastiseth vs, and that we are subiect to so manie miseries, let vs knowe, that wee doe but gather in the fruites of our owne seede. Because wee haue ledde an euill life, our Lorde must needes shew some signe and taken of his anger, that it may bee knowne hee is Iudge of the worlde. But hee hath also as well a regarde vnto our profite: that is, that we might be sorie for our faultes, and bee in displeasure with our selues for them, and that we should haue our recourse vnto him, in true and vnfeigned repentaunce. Loe howe GOD, when hee sheweth his anger towardes vs, ceaseth