A17698:1052
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.
Now although it be such: yet is it not to be marvelled at, that God hath condemned it in his law. Why so? For in ordering of our life and in showing us how we should walk, God respecteth not what we be able to do, nor the measure of our strength: but what duty we owe to him, & what righteousness is, although it be not to be found in us. We be Gods creatures: and ought we not then to give our selves wholly to his service? Yes certainly. That is a peremptory reason. And men may well grunt at it, but yet shall they always find proof in themselves, that forasmuch as they belong to GOD, they ought to dedicate all their senses, all their affections, and all that ever is in them both in body and soul unto him. Howbeit let us mark well herewithall, that we cannot discharge our selves thereof: and what is the cause thereof bu• our own naughtiness? And we take that from Adam. That followeth not. For although ⟨p. 245⟩we be held in bondage under sin, and this bondage hindereth us from well doing, and driveth us to all evil: yet howsoever we fare, the root of it is in our selves, and every man shall feel himself blame worthy, so as we shall not need to say that we be driven by any other force: but every man is carried and driven to it by his own lust.1 And so is there no more excuse for us. Whereby it appeareth, that it is not for us to measure Gods Law by our own power §10and abilities. Why so? As I said afore, GOD respecteth not what we can do, nor what our ability can brook: but he respecteth wherein we be bound unto him, and he hath an eye to the perfection that is without us. That is the thing which we have to mark. And it is the thing that beguileth the Papists. For they have this principle among them, That Gods Law is not unpossible to men. It is a wonder that they should be so straught, and that §20the devil should bewitch them after that fashion. For it is most evident and apparent doctrine throughout the whole Scripture, that men shall always be condemned by the Law, and that they must be fain to flee for refuge to Gods only mercy.2 When Saint Paul goes about to prove that all men are cursed for as much as all men are sinners, and that there is not so much as one righteous man: what argument useth he? He allegeth this text of Moses,