A17717:97
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.
And mark we why the ceremony was so strait under the law. Think we that God ever took pleasure in the idleness of men? Certain it is he hath not. And yet he punished as grievously him which brake the day of rest to labour therein, as if he had murdered a man. And why so? It seemeth that it is extreme cruelty, that for gathering of sticks on the Sabaoth day a man must die, as if he did commit murder.1 Yet the Lord condemneth him to death which gathered sticks in ⟨image 37⟩the Sabaoth day. And why? Because that under this figure was comprehended the whole service of God.2 And see why in Jeremiah it is said, that they have carried burdens on the Sabaoth day. And why? It seemeth that God stayeth himself to much on a trifling and childish thing, but he hath respect unto this which was signified by the Sabaoth day. And therefore when it was so neglected of the Jews, this was as open sacrilege, whereby they did declare that the whole law was of small account amongest them. So then, to come to our selves, forasmuch as at this day we have not this figure so precise, and so strait, but that God hath given us a greater liberty, obtained unto us by the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us learn with all diligence to bequest our selves unto him, and to know (as I have already touched) that how fairly so ever we shall have travelled in all the rest, it shall be to small purpose, except our affections be held bridled, and that we bestow all our pains to renounce and take leave of our lusts and desires in such sort, that GOD alone may rule and govern us, and that we may protest that we desire nothing else, but to rest and repose our selves on him. And see how God proposeth himself for an example. For he is not only content to command men to rest, but he hath also showed them the way hereto.3 For after he had created the world, and all therein contained, be rested: not that he was weary or needed any rest, but this was to lead us to behold his works, and that staying our selves thereon, we might be fashioned unto him. Will we then observe the spiritual rest? Even as it is said, that he ceased from all his works. So must we also be quiet and still, leaving to do that shall seem good unto us, and which our own nature desireth.