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

Thus the Jews murmured against GOD. Now he sweareth that this blasphemy shall no more reign among them. But for all this, when all shall be well considered, there is no contrariety in these places. For in the place of Ezekiel God understandeth no other thing, but that those which are punished of him, cannot allege their innocency, that they cannot say that God doeth them any wrong or injury, if he use them sharply: for they shall find themselves ⟨image 21⟩guilty every one in his own person, and that he shall be declared just, when every one shall see that he exceedeth neither measure nor reason.

Thus the Iewes murmured against GOD. Now he sweareth that this blasphemie shall no more reigne among them. But for all this, when all shall be well considered, there is no contrarietie in these places. For in the place of Ezechiel God vnderstandeth no other thing, but that those which are punished of him, cannot alledge their innocencie, that they cannot say that God doeth them any wrong or iniurie, if he vse them sharpely: for they shall finde themselues ⟨image 21⟩guiltie euerie one in his owne person, and that he shall bee declared iust, when euerie one shall see that he exceedeth neither measure nor reason.

Now this is also certain, that when God punisheth the children, because of the fathers: yet ceaseth he not to be just in his chastisements: for the children on their part being well examined, shall be found faulty. I say yet further, that they can no sooner come forth of the womb of their mother, but they commit many notable and manifest sins, and such as might be known to the whole world. For what offspring are we? What bring we forth by nature, but sin and wickedness? See then the infants which are already sinners, yea, being in the womb of their mother, they are condemned before God, there is yet no evil perceived in them, howbeit their nature is altogether corrupt and sinful. They have a seed of wickedness in them, & because of this original sin which is descended from Adam upon all mankind, behold they are already under condemnation. Now seeing it is so, that the little infants are not exempted from the auger & malediction of God, it is certain when he punisheth them, this shall not be without good cause: but we shall always know, that he proceedeth herein in all equity & justice, as an upright judge: by greater reason they which are elder & further stricken in years, are punished as not innocent, for one shall find them by many degrees more faulty. And so as concerning the place of Ezekiel the case is clear, that God punisheth not the innocent children for the transgression of their fathers, for the faults shall be also found in themselves. As for this, when he saith, That he punisheth the iniquity of fathers upon the children, let us consider how this is done, and then this hard knot shall be easily unties. First then let us know, that God oweth us nothing, and that if he bestow any benefit upon us, this is altogether of his mere liberality, not that he is any thing beholding unto us. In the mean while, if he will use his rigour towards us, he may leave us in condemnation as we are. Let God only withdraw his mercy, and show himself judge over the whole world, and what shall become of us? Surely we shall all perish, there is no remedy: little and great, fathers and children, without exception (I say) we are all condemned, if GOD draw us not