A17698:1117
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.
Hereby we be warned to take heed, that we presume not upon our own strength, to be too bold. For when we bear our selves in hand that we can do all things, it is the cause of our ruin. And God doeth justly laugh such overweening to scorn. But let us learn to feel that we §60can do nothing: and that although we be bound to fulfil all that ever God commandeth us: yet it followeth not therefore that we be able to do it, but rather that we be utterly unable. Neither is it so small and common a matter to love God with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our power, as if we needed no more but to say, yea, I will go about it out of hand: but it is a thing that passeth all that is in man. When we once know that the law containeth too high a righteousness for us to attain unto, and that we on our part are so weak as is pity to see: then will we learn to sigh before God, and consider well that we be bound to do whatsoever he appointeth, but yet we will crave power at his hand, that it may please him to help us with his holy spirit, and not only supply our frailty, but also be the beginner and performer of all things in us, so as he make us willing, and confirm us in that willingness, and with that constancy match also power to accomplish our desires.
Hereby wee be warned to take heede, that we presume not vpon our owne strength, to bee too bolde. For when we beare our selues in hand that wee can doe all things, it is the cause of our ruin. And God doeth iustly laugh such ouerweening to scorne. But let vs learne to feele that we §60can do nothing: and that although we be bound to fulfill all that euer God commaundeth vs: yet it followeth not therefore that wee bee able to doe it, but rather that we be vtterly vnable. Neither is it so small and common a matter to loue God with all our heart, with all our minde, and with all our power, as if wee needed no more but to say, yea, I will goe about it out of hand: but it is a thing that passeth all that is in man. When we once know that the law containeth too high a righteousnesse for vs to attaine vnto, and that wee on our part are so weake as is pitie to see: then will we learne to sigh before God, and consider well that wee bee bound to doe whatsoeuer he appointeth, but yet wee will craue power at his hande, that it may please him to helpe vs with his holy spirit, and not onely supplye our frailtie, but also be the beginner and perfourmer of all thinges in vs, so as he make vs willing, and confirme vs in that willingnesse, and with that constancie match also power to accomplish our desires.