A17698:1049
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.
Seeing then that our nature §20is so corrupted, ought we not to be the more vigilant to hold our selves in awe, considering that God by his law condemneth all wicked thoughts, that tend to the provoking of us unto evil, inasmuch as there is a certain inward moving that tickleth us, and we feel our will pricked forward, although it be not led quite and clean away as a prisoner? Sith we see this, have we not good cause to gather our wits to us, and to walk the more warily and carefully §30under the hand of God? So then whereas we be drowsy and slothful, and would fain discharge our selves to Godward with ease: yet see how this commandment ought to waken us. But we must understand that it is not for us to scape by such shifts. And why? After that God hath condemned wicked intents: he proceedeth still to the condemning of evil lusts too. And that ought to stand us to a double use. The one is, that we must pray to God the earnestlyer,§40 to govern us with his holy spirit, and to cleanse us from all vices and corruptions, & that having prayed unto him, every of us should enforce himself, and as it were do violence to our nature, and to all our senses and powers of mind, forasmuch as there is nothing in us but rebelliousness against the Law of God, even as Saint Paul speaketh not only of mens wills,1 when he saith: that men in their own froward nature are enemies to God, but also of their affections §50and thoughts. He useth a word there, which extendeth even to the thoughts that we conceive. Al of them (saith he) are enemies unto God.
Seeing then that our nature §20is so corrupted, ought we not to be the more vigilant to holde our selues in awe, considering that God by his lawe condemneth all wicked thoughts, that tende to the prouoking of vs vnto euill, inasmuch as there is a certaine inward mouing that tickleth vs, and wee feele our will pricked forwarde, although it be not ledde quite and cleane away as a prisoner? Sith we see this, haue wee not good cause to gather our wittes to vs, and to walke the more warely and carefully §30