A17717:68
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.
The. 4. Sermon.
Deut. Chap. 5. 11 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless which shall take his name in vain.
Deut. Chap. 5. 11 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine, for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse which shall take his name in vaine.
IF we were but well advised, there were no need that men should teach us to bear reverence unto God. For nature ought to lead us hereunto. For to what end are we created? And why live we in this world, but to do homage to him, to whom we be beholden for all good gifts, and to apply our selves to honour and glorify his Majesty? Behold the whole end and sum of this life. But for all this in stead of honouring our God, and applying our whole studies and endeavours hereunto, it seemeth that we have conspired the clean contrary. For some would have the remembrance of God buried: others despise and mock him, others with full throat & open mouth blaspheme him, so that we sufficiently declare, that we know not why we live or should have our being. Now because there is such a vice in us, God, to remedy it, showeth that we ought likewise to abstain from abusing his holy name, ⟨p. 23⟩for this is as it were to unhallow it, & therefore he hath forbidden that his name be not taken in vain. By these words we ought diligently to consider, what is the right & lawful use of his name. True it is that we are not worthy to take in our mouth the name of the Lord, in what sort soever it be, for we must consider of that which Isaiah speaketh in the. 6. Chap. Lord I am a man of polluted lips,1 & I dwell in the middest of a people, which is altogether filthy and defiled. Seeing then we have such filthiness and uncleanness in us, it is certain we can not take the name of God in our mouth, were it not that God of his goodness would that we use his name, so it be to glorify him withal. Let us then note well, that when it is said, That we take not the name of God in vain, that the Lord reproveth us of unthankfulness, if we use not his name, as he hath permitted us, and follow not herein the rule which is contained in his word. For this is the lawful mean, by which we may use his name. But to the end that this be yet more clearly understood, we must mark, that God under one kind would here show us, what majesty there is in his name, to the end we speak not of it, but with all fear and reverence. Therefore above all other kinds of profaning his name, he taketh the especial form of an oath, when any question is of swearing.