A17717:76
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.
Now forasmuch as we protest in our oaths, that God hath all superiority over us, by this we may understand, that all the oaths which are made by creatures are wicked and intolerable, as proceeding from superstition: as among the Papists, one will swear by Saint Anthony, an other by Saint John, which is as much as if one would make idols of them. And why? For we must always return back to that sentence which I have before alleged of the Apostle, that ⟨p. 25⟩we declare God to be our superior: yea, our sovereign, when we swear by his name. And this is the cause why, when God sweareth, to confirm us in his promises, or happily to awaken us when he seeth us hardened in our sins, and that we stand not in awe of his judgments, he sweareth by himself, he reserveth to him self this honour,1 whereof it shall be further handled in the ninth Chapter of this book. And so they which swear by creatures are idolaters. And for this purpose also, when there is mention made of superstitions, the oaths of men are put in as witnesses to convince them, that they have turned them selves from the purity of the law. The Pastors, saith Jeremiah,2 which have charge to conduct and lead the people, must teach them to swear by the name of God, that is, that all other oaths be laid aside, and that creatures be not mingled, and brought in, when any thing by oath is to be confirmed. Moreover, when it is here spoken of the name of God, let us note, that we are not only forbidden to pronounce this word, but that the substance thereof is here considered: for God regardeth the deed. As there are some which swear not expressly by the name of God, and yet notwithstanding they cease not to offend & transgress against this commandment. For we must always have regard to come to this which our Lord Jesus Christ handleth in the fifth Chapter of S.3 Matthew. When you swear by heaven, is not this the throne of the living God? If you swear by his temple, is not this the place where his majesty abideth? If then we think we shall not be accused and condemned, when we express not the name of God in our oaths, we greatly abuse our selves. Let us not therefore think to deceive him in this, for the excuse is altogether foolish and childish. And why? The heaven, beareth it not a mark and token of the majesty of God? See then how his glory is diminished.