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

Seeing then it is so, let us note, that under the person of the people of Israel, we are here warned, that when God hath set before us his word, we must not think on it for one day only, but that we ought to exercise our selves therein all the time of our life. And when we hear this, Behold the statutes, Behold the ordinances, Behold the commandments, which I propose unto you, we must remember, that it is not for us to establish laws and rules to govern our life by, but that this authority appertaineth only unto God. Moreover he hath also admonished us, that he hath showed us the right way. Let us therefore follow it, and walk therein, let us not make further inquiry what we ought to do: for there remaineth no doubting when our Lord hath once spoken: we must no longer allege, I know not whether this be good, I know not whether somewhat else be to be added. Content we our selves with that which God hath showed us: for he shall always be a good master to teach us, if so be we be not perverse, and evil scholars to learn under him. And for this cause here is again mention made of commandments, statutes, and ordinances, that we might not think that God would instruct us by halves. There is then in his law comprised a full perfection of all wisdom: so that there resteth nothing, but that we yield obedience thereunto, that we be not so curious, as to desire more than God showeth us, that we have no foolish devotions, which lead us wandering hither and thither: knowing that God hath not envied them which were under his charge the knowledge of any thing behovefull for them, but hath taught them all that which was ⟨p. 118⟩profitable and necessary for them. Let us therefore govern our selves according unto his will, let us apply all our senses thereto, let his law suffice and content us, albeit the whole world scorn and reject us, the matter shall not much skill, we have our Judge. And so, although the world wander after vain fantasies, although every one forge unto him self, that which seemeth him best, let us always consider of appearing before the tribunal seat of our God, and that unto him we must render our account. Now he hath delivered us his law, and by that he will judge us. And therefore let us leave all that the world imagineth, & know that all is but vanity and lying.

Seeing then it is so, let vs note, that vnder the person of the people of Israel, we are here warned, that when God hath set before vs his worde, wee must not thinke on it for one day onely, but that we ought to exercise our selues therein all the time of our life. And when wee heare this, Beholde the statutes, Beholde the ordinaunces, Beholde the commaundementes, which I propose vnto you, we must remember, that it is not for vs to establish lawes and rules to gouerne our life by, but that this authoritie apperteineth onely vnto God. Moreouer he hath also admonished vs, that he hath shewed vs the right way. Let vs therefore followe it, and walke therein, let vs not make further inquirie what wee ought to doe: for there remaineth no doubting when our Lord hath once spoken: wee must no longer alledge, I know not whether this bee good, I knowe not whether somewhat else bee to bee added. Content wee our selues with that which God hath shewed vs: for he shall alwayes bee a good maister to teach vs, if so bee wee bee not peruerse, and euill scholers to learne vnder him. And for this cause here is againe mention made of commaundementes, statutes, and ordinaunces, that we might not thinke that God woulde instruct vs by halfes. There is then in his lawe comprised a full perfection of all wisedome: so that there resteth nothing, but that wee yeald obedience therevnto, that wee bee not so curious, as to desire more than God sheweth vs, that we haue no foolish deuotions, which leade vs wandering hither and thither: knowing that God hath not enuied them which were vnder his charge the knowledge of any thing behouefull for them, but hath taught them all that which was