A17717:50
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.
For Moses understandeth in this place, that which is more fully expressed by the Prophet Nahum,1 when he sayeth, The Lord is a jealous GOD, a God of vengeance, a God which punisheth them that have offended, which reserveth wrath for his enemies, ⟨image 20⟩a God, which shall come in a whirl wind and tempest. The Prophet useth this word, that God is Jealous, that is to say, that he is not forgetful, that he hath not his eyes closed and shut up when men contemn him, but that he marketh it, that all which is done is registered before him, that he will one day take account of it. Now after that he hath spoken of this affection, that is to say, that God will maintain his honour, he showeth by and by that he hath wherewith to do it, that he is armed with force and might to punish his enemies, and that they cannot by any means escape his hand. And to that end he speaketh of a whirl wind and tempest. See why he speaketh of vengeance. He addeth also further, that though God dissemble for a time, that yet he reserveth wrath for his enemies, and will in a convenient time make them feel with whom they have had to do, and that they have provoked the living GOD to anger. We see now what Moses understandeth namely, that God will have his honour esteemed of us. And although we think to remain unpunished, when we have polluted his service, and corrupted it, in what sort so ever, yet in his time he will show, that he is not forgetful of him self, but that he will maintain and defend his own honour. This is one point to be noted. Moreover he adjoineth, that he is also mighty enough to put in execution, his jealousy. For the Lord is not as mortal men, which can but fume and chafe, when their honour is foiled, & they contemned and injured, but they have not the mean to work the revenge they would. God is not such a one: he is armed with might and power to confound all his enemies. Truly we must not imagine in God any humane affections, such as with which we see men to be moved and carried away. There is neither anger nor wrath in God. But because we cannot comprehend him as he is, it behoveth that he apply him self to our rudeness. So, as often as the Scripture speaketh of wrath, anger, and indignation: this is not that God is changeable, that he resembleth us, to be moved as we are with passions. For he always abideth in one estate:
For Moses vnderstandeth in this place, that which is more fully expressed by the Prophete Nahum,