A17698:1046
Sermons upon Deuteronomy
The sermons of M. John Calvin upon the fifth book of Moses called Deuteronomy faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpit; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneva, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chief matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alleged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Moses called Deuteronomie faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpet; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneua, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chiefe matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alledged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.
London: printed by Henry Middleton for George Bishop, 1583
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.
it is certain that thing §30showeth, that God hath given them the upper hand of sin, and that his power is resident in them, and that they be stout champions to fight against Satan: but yet doeth it not follow, that they be clear from all fault, and that they can pluck up sin, and fully deliver themselves from it, as though there were not any spot or blemish more in them. Alas, we come far short of that. For surely on the one side we have cause to praise God, for giving us the grace by his holy §40spirit to overcome all wicked affections. But yet must we sigh with all humility, acknowledging our selves to be weak on our part, and that if he pitied us not, we have such a wicked mind already in us, as provoketh his vengeance against us, so as we should well deserve to be utterly destroyed at his hand. Moreover it was requisite that God should discover the shame of the popedom, and show that the greatest clerks there, are duller witted than the silly Infidels that never §50hard one word of holy scripture. Why so? For we must take that which is written in the Law. It is said that the whole sum of the law is that we should love God with all our heart, with all our soul,1 with all our mind, and with all our powers. If it had been said, Thou shalt love GOD with all thy heart: very well, a man might have concluded, that it is no sin unless the will do fully resolve upon it and purpose it. For although the word Heart, do sometime §60signify the understanding: yet doth the holy scripture take it also for the will. Now then a man might allege this shift: it is said that we must love God with all our heart: therefore so we have not our will bent contrary to goodness, it is enough, we be quite discharged before GOD. For men would take the will for the wicked affection, and so it would seem that the wicked lusts which stir us up and provoke us, are not comprised under the name of sin, so long as they hold us not captive. But when as he addeth, with all thy heart, with all thy thoughts, and with all thy powers: let us see whether a piece of my soul or mind be not already corrupted, when I conceive any thing against God, or when I conceive any wicked lust of whoredom or robbery, although I stick not to it. Is it to be said that I love God with all my heart, when a piece of my mind is bent against him?