A17698:1114
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.
And so let us mark well, that when Gods word is preached unto us by men, they do it not upon their own head, but because GOD hath given us here the doctrine that is for our benefit. And this ought to settle us the better, that we be not moved with any fond affection, to change as our manner is, to delight always too much in Novelties. Let us understand that the thing whereunto we must hold our selves, is that we must give •are to the preaching of Gods word, all the time of our life. And why? For it is not only his will that we should do so: but also he showeth us that it is for our behoof.
And so let vs marke well, that when Gods woorde is preached vnto vs by men, they doe it not vpon their owne head, but bicause GOD hath giuen vs here the doctrine that is for our benefite. And this ought to settle vs the better, that wee bee not mooued with any fond affection, to chaunge as our manner is, to delyght alwayes too much in Nouelties. Let vs vnderstande that the thing whereunto wee must holde our selues, is that wee must giue •are to the preaching of Gods woorde, all the time of our lyfe. And why? For it is not onely his will that wee should doe so: but also he sheweth vs that it is for our behoofe.
Besides this, GOD wakeneth the people here, to the end they should think better upon the keeping of the commandments of his Law, than they had done. For the people had said, we will do it. And saith God on his side, who will give them the heart to do it, and who will give them such disposition of mind? And by those words he doth us to wit, that it was an easy matter for them to promise, ⟨p. 260⟩as men commonly make great protestations with full mouth, but when it cometh to the performance they show well that their promising was at adventure. God therefore to make the people perceive how hard a matter it is to keep the law, sayeth here, I would fain it were so. For the Hebrew word which he useth where he saith, who will give them the heart, importeth as much as when we say, be it so: I would fain it were so. True it is that here God speaketh after