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

Let us therefore diligently note, that Moses in this place not only exhorteth every one for his own time to serve and obey GOD, by conforming his life unto the law which he hath delivered, but he will that fathers bestow all their pains to instruct their children, that we may leave such a seed after us, if it be possible, as that God be worshipped of our posterity, that his name be always purely and sincerely called upon, & that by this mean, they which shall be descended from our loins, may be blessed, and that the covenant of God wherein our salvation is contained, endure for ever, and never perish, albeit we are mortal and of small continuance. But we are so far from discharging our duty in this doctrine, that we may see fathers give such examples unto their children, that it seemeth they have conspired to abolish and to take clean away the fear of God, and the whole observation of his law. We ought not therefore to marvel, if GOD also withdraw him self from us, and that it seemeth that he will cut off quite all the benefits and ⟨p. 120⟩blessings which he had bestowed on us. For are we worthy unto whom he should continue them, seeing we are so reckless and negligent to procure that his service and worship may continue in his entire and perfect estate? And yet this should serve us to so good a purpose (as I have said) that it be not spoken in vain. Let us therefore labour with all our might, to teach those which shall come after us, in such sort, that the worship of GOD, and his service, may continue for ever, and that men always know and acknowledge him for the Father and Saviour of all the world, and give themselves over fully and wholly unto him. Withal Moses hath adjoined that whereof he had before spoken, that this is, To the end that their days may be prolonged, and that GOD may make the people to prosper, according to the promise which he made unto their fathers, that he would give them a land flowing with milk & honey. We have already expounded what Moses hath understood by this word: namely, that God, albeit by one word he may constrain us to serve him, notwithstanding useth towards us a most mild and amiable manner to win us to himself, when he promiseth us a reward, when we shall have served him: not that our works deserve any thing, or that he is any thing at all bound unto us.

Let vs therefore diligentlie note, that Moses in this place not onelie exhorteth euerie one for his owne time to serue and obey GOD, by conforming his life vnto the lawe whiche hee hath deliuered, but he will that fathers bestowe all their paines to instruct their children, that we may leaue such a seede after vs, if it be possible, as that God be worshipped of our posteritie, that his name be alwayes purelie and sincerelie called vpon, & that by this meane, they which shalbe descended from our loynes, may be blessed, and that the couenant of God wherein our saluation is conteined, endure for euer, and neuer perish, albeit we are mertall and of small continuance. But we are so farre from discharging our dutie in this doctrine, that we may see fathers giue such examples vnto their children, that it seemeth they haue conspired to abolish and to take cleane away the feare of God, and the whole obseruation of his lawe. We ought not therefore to maruell, if GOD also withdrawe him selfe from vs, and that it seemeth that hee will cut off quite all the benefites and