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

Withal Moses addeth that concerning his office he hath delivered nothing of his own. And this protestation is well worthy to be noted. For we must remember what hath been before said, that Moses was the most excellent prophet that ever God raised, & yet notwithstanding he taketh to him self in this place no such liberty, as to teach any thing according to his own judgement. For he knew well that he himself was a mortal man, subject to the law, as were others. Behold why he protesteth that that which he bringeth, is that which he hath received from God, and that he dispenseth and delivereth it as it were from hand to hand. Sithence Moses doth this, who will dare to say, that it is lawful for him to pass further? And yet we see what is happened herein. For among the whole rabble of Papists, is there any so given to hear what God shall say, as to prefer his word before the doctrine of men? Nay: But they have their holy mother the Church, as they term it, they have their determinations, their decrees, their statutes: and they think it sufficient to have this coverture of the Church, and in the mean time, they rob God of his authority, to cloth men which are but rottenness therewith. Behold an intolerable sacrilege, when God shall no longer be a Lawgiver to conduct his people, and to hold them under his yoke, but that men will usurp and challenge to them selves such an authority. So much the more heedfully ought we to observe that which is here contained: namely, that Moses albeit he was as an Angel of heaven, although God had exalted him above all men, though he had been in the mount forty days without eating or drinking any thing, to show that he was no longer of the number of others: yet notwithstanding, when he came from this heavenly glory, and as it were from the company of Angels, he humbleth ⟨image 125⟩himself, and declareth that he commendeth unto the people nothing of his own, that he will not feed them with fancies and dreams of his own head: but that he is contented to have heard what GOD hath pronounced, and that he reciteth it as a faithful servant, which addeth nothing thereto, which falsifieth not the commission which is given unto him. Ye see then what we have again to bear in mind upon this place.

Withall Moses addeth that concerning his office he hath deliuered nothing of his owne. And this protestation is well worthie to bee noted. For wee must remember what hath bene before said, that Moses was the most excellent prophet that euer God raised, & yet notwithstanding he taketh to him selfe in this place no such libertie, as to teach any thing according to his owne iudgement. For he knew well that he himselfe was a mortall man, subiect to the lawe, as were others. Behold why he protesteth that that which he bringeth, is that which he hath receued from God, and that he dispenseth and deliuereth it as it were from hand to hande. Sithence Moses doth this, who will dare to say, that it is lawfull for him to passe further? And yet we see what is happened herein. For among the whole rable of Papists, is there any so giuen to heare what God shall say, as to preferre his word before the doctrine of men? Nay: But they haue their holy mother the Church, as they terme it, they haue their determinations, their decrees, their statutes: and they thinke it sufficient to haue this couerture of the Church, and in the meane time, they robbe God of his authoritie, to cloth men which are but rottenesse therewith. Behold an intollerable sacrilege, when God shall no longer be a Lawegeuer to conduct his people, and to holde them vnder his yoke, but that men will vsurpe and challenge to them selues such an authoritie. So much the more heedfullie ought wee to obserue that which is here conteined: namelie, that Moses albeit he was as an Angel of heauen, although God had exalted him aboue all men, though he had bene in the mount fortie dayes without eating or drinking any thing, to shewe that he was no longer of the number of others: yet nothwitstanding, when he came from this heauenlie glorie, and as it were from the companie of Angels, he humbleth