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

Now then, when men will be so wise in their own conceit, when they put such confidence in their own wit and reason, when they give themselves all liberty to do what so ever seemeth them good, when they follow their own affections and fancies, when they will take no pain to repress them: Nay, are grieved when any would daunt and tame them, it is a sure sign, they never knew wherein consisteth the true worship of GOD, never understood the chief and principal point of the law. And so let us note well, that when GOD allegeth his own example, it is to allure us with all mildness and gentleness to the observation of the law, and keeping of this spiritual rest. And withal let us note (as I have already touched) that we are wretched and miserable, when we are separated and removed from him. And behold the bond of our conjunction: namely, that drawing near to his truth and religion, we suffer our selves to be guided and governed by him. Now a man may demand, for what cause the Jews were commanded to rest only the seventh day: for we ought not for one day in the week renounce our lusts and affections, but we must continue in that mind ⟨image 38⟩all the time of our life. Briefly, the rest which the Lord commandeth is perpetual, and without any ceasing or intermission. How then is it, that he hath chosen one only day in the week? It was to show, that when we shall have applied all our studies to abandon our false opinions; our wicked concupiscences, all that which proceedeth from our perverse and corrupt nature, that yet we cannot come fully to this, until we be wholly rid of our flesh. In deed, the faithful ought their whole life time to observe the Sabaoth day, they ought to give over their own desires, forsake their own works, seek to offer up themselves wholly to God in all humility, to order themselves after his will, they ought to continue in his obedience: (I say) we must do so: or otherwise, all the service we shall do unto God, is but feignedness & hypocrisy: and as for him, he will disallow and reject it. Nevertheless, we cannot acquit our selves wholly in this, to renounce our affections in such sort,¹ that there be no blame found in us. Saint Paul glorifieth in this, that the world was crucified unto him, and he unto the world.

Now then, when men will bee so wise in their owne conceite, when they put such confidence in their owne witte and reason, when they geue themselues all libertie to doe what so euer seemeth them good, when they followe their owne affections and fansies, when they will take no paine to represse them: Nay, are grieued when any woulde daunte and tame them, it is a sure signe, they neuer knewe wherein consisteth the true worship of GOD, neuer vnderstoode the chiefe and principall pointe of the lawe. And so let vs note well, that when GOD alledgeth his owne example, it is to allure vs with all mildenesse and gentlenesse to the obseruation of the lawe, and keeping of this spirituall rest. And withall let vs note (as I haue alreadie touched) that wee are wretched and miserable, when we are separated and remoued from him. And behold the bonde of our coniunction: namely, that drawing neere to his truth and religion, wee suffer our selues to bee guided and gouerned by him. Nowe a man may demaund, for what cause the Iewes were commaunded to rest onely the seuenth day: for wee ought not for one day in the weeke renounce our lustes and affections, but wee must continue in that minde