A17717:6
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.
¶To the Right excellent and Honourable Lord, the Lord Robert Dudley, Earle of Leicester, Baron of Denbigh, Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter, Master of the Queens Majesties horses, and one of her Graces most Honourable privy Council, John Harmar wisheth all godly felicity, continuance of health, increase of Honour, and Graces eternal.
¶To the Right excellent and Honourable Lorde, the Lorde Robert Dudley, Earle of Leycester, Baron of Denbigh, Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter, Maister of the Queenes Maiesties horses, and one of her Graces most Honourable priuie Councell, Iohn Harmar wisheth all godlie felicitie, continuance of health, increase of Honour, and Graces eternall.
Occasioned, Right Honourable, to consider certain of M. Calvins Sermons in the French tongue, upon the law of God and his hests, and finding them (though gathered and set forth by others, yet) answerable to their makers labour, to be godly, learned, and profitable, I was the bolder to adventure the deliverance of them into our mother language, and most bold to present your Honour therewith: the beginning of small ability, such as they be, yet due to your Lordship, unto whom I owe all thankfulness and humble duty. Your Honours good procurement of her Majesties gracious favour, whereby I first became a Scholar in Winchester College, afterward to be removed to the New College of Oxford, whereof at this present I am a poor member, I could never since forget, or bury so good a benefit in such great oblivion. Some signification ⟨image 3⟩therefore of a grateful mind is herein sought, together with the profit of many the simpler sort, which the rather may be attained to, by your Lordships honourable name, favourable countenance, and protection, which being vouchsafed, will be sufficiently able to countervail the contrary endeavours of such evil disposed persons as seek even under the colour of greatest truth, to pull out the eyes of knowledge, and to bring a palpable darkness upon the face of the earth, a darkness to be brought in by the gross mist of devout ignorance as more perilous, so more lamentable than the temporary darkness of Egypt. For that is the pretence which they use, when as they seek no other thing than to entrap men by devilish Sophistry. What need the law (say they?) We have the Gospel. What need we written expositors? We have the lively voices of Preachers sounding in great plenty every where. Of which two speeches, the former is vain, the latter partial, and both of them are wicked. Truth it is, that the strength and sting of the laws dominion to condemnation, concerning the faithful, is weakened and clean plucked out: that the fire is extinguished wherewith the mountain smoked, that the stony tables are softened, that the heavy yoke is lightened, that grace hath superabounded, and an horn of strong salvation is erected and declared through the administration of the spirit. What then? Shall we therefore welter in sin, and wallow in the lusts thereof, because of these things? God forbid.