A17717:63
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 it is not enough to withhold our feet, and our hands, and our eyes from evil doing, but it behoveth that our heart go before, and that God be served of us with a true meaning mind and upright affection: and this affection must not be forced and constrained, but it ought to proceed from a true love of God. Therefore, when we will rightly observe his law, we must first know, that God is unto us a kind hearted father, gentle and favourable unto us, to the end we may be led to yield unto him like love and affection. And withal, let us not think to mock & deceive our selves, in protesting that we love God, if in the mean while this be not showed in the whole course of our life. For when here is mention made of the love of God, Moses addeth, that they which love him do also keep his commandments. It behoveth then that our life be answerable in this behalf, and that it bear witness whether we love God, or whether we hate him. For the rest which followeth, it is not without cause that God making comparison of his wrath and vengeance, with his favour and mercy, saith, That he will punish them that hate him to the third and fourth generation, and that he will show mercy to them that love him in a thousand generation?. For by this he declareth that, which is better and more folly expressed in other sentences of the scriptures, that is, That he is slow to anger, greatly inclined to compassion and pity,1 that he is patient & of long suffering,2 that his anger endureth but a while, that his mercy ⟨image 25⟩is to life, & endureth for ever. Ye see then the true nature of God, that is, that he desireth nothing more, than to draw men unto him by all lenity and gentleness, and to use his mercy and goodness towards them. When he punisheth them, this is as it were against his nature. Not, but that it is agreeable to God, aswell to punish, as to show mercy: but he will show us, that his goodness is much more greater: and briefly, that he is not sharp and rigorous, but desirous to lay open his heart towards us, if we would suffer him, for in very deed he will be known gracious and pitiful. And this is that wherein his principal glory shineth. Therefore let us note well, that not for naught Moses here assigneth a thousand generations to the mercy of God, and restraineth his wrath & vengeance to a three or four generations.