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

Is not this even of purpose and wilful malice to violate the majesty of God? And yet notwithstanding this is done, and commonly used, so that there shall scarce be any long discourse made, or great matter maintained, which hath not I know not what intermingled, whereby God shall be contemned & set at naught. Show we not then hereby, that we never knew aright what it is to worship him? Well, we shall say every day, Thy name be hallowed, but we do all the contrary. Shall there then any other sentence of condemnation light on our heads than that? When we come to the Church, we will confess with our mouths, that we desire that the name of GOD be maintained in his due honour: we will say as much at the table, and every one, when he riseth and layeth him down to sleep: (I speak of them which are not altogether brutish, for there are some which know not what it meaneth to make prayer unto GOD:) But they which shall have so much honesty as to pray unto God, they shall well say with the mouth, Thy name be sanctified, but this is scarce gone from the tip of their tongue, and behold a false oath in their mouth, and they will toss the name of GOD hither and thither. And whither tendeth his wickedness, but to the violating of the majesty of GOD, and to the despiting of him, as if we would give him a blow with a dagger, or spit in his face? And (as I have said) there needeth no other Judge to condemn us in our false oaths than this protestation which we make; when we desire of GOD, that he will maintain the holiness of his name. And yet in the mean time, we seek to deface it as much as lieth in us. Now it resteth that we must speak of the majesty of GOD in all reverence, especially, when we talk of his works. As how? When we speak of the time, whether he sendeth fair weather, or rain, •oe these are marks of the majesty of GOD. If he send us contrary seasons, be showeth him self as a Judge, to ⟨p. 29⟩the end to make us feel his wrath and indignation, that we might enter into the examination of our sins, to bewail them, and to be led to repentance. Now, if in stead of humbling our selves before God, and having a displeasure with our selves for our offences, we are wayward and overthwart, (as we see that some men are wont despitefully to say, And must this season continue in this sort, and thus long?)

Is not this euen of purpose and wilfull malice to violate the maiestie of God? And yet notwithstanding this is done, and commonlie vsed, so that there shall scarse bee any long discourse made, or great matter mainteined, which hath not I knowe not what intermingled, whereby God shalbe contemned & set at naught. Shew we not then hereby, that we neuer knew aright what it is to worshippe him? Well, wee shall say euerie day, Thy name be hallowed, but we doe all the contrarie. Shall there then any other sentence of condemnation light on our heades than that? When wee come to the Church, wee will confesse with our mouthes, that wee desire that the name of GOD bee mainteined in his due honour: wee will say as much at the table, and euerie one, when hee riseth and laieth him downe to sleepe: (I speake of them which are not altogether brutishe, for there are some whiche knowe not what it meaneth to make prayer vnto GOD:) But they whiche shall haue so much honestie as to pray vnto God, they shall well say with the mouth, Thy name be sanctified, but this is scarse gone from the tip of their tongue, and beholde a false othe in their mouth, and they will tosse the name of GOD hither and thither. And whither tendeth his wickednesse, but to the violating of the maiestie of GOD, and to the despiting of him, as if we would giue him a blowe with a dagger, or spit in his face? And (as I haue said) there needeth no other Iudge to condemne vs in our false othes than this protestation whiche wee make; when wee desire of GOD, that he will mainteine the holinesse of his name. And yet in the meane time, wee seeke to deface it as much as lieth in vs. Nowe it resteth that wee must speake of the maiestie of GOD in all reuerence, especiallie, when wee talke of his woorkes. As howe? When wee speake of the time, whether he sendeth faire weather, or raine, oe these are markes of the maiestie of GOD. If he sende vs contrarie seasons, bee sheweth him selfe as a Iudge, to