A17698:1125
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 now God having spoken after that manner, addeth that they should take good heed that §10they kept the things which he commanded them, without bowing to the right hand or to the left. Here our Lord showeth us again, that the honouring of his Law which he requireth at our hands, must not be an only allowing of it with our mouths, after which manner we would fain discharge our selves thereof: but he telleth us that his giving of it forth, is to hold us in his subjection & service, and that to the same end he will have it preached still at this day. For thereby he intendeth §20to try whether he can wield us as quiet people that submit themselves to him. Therefore let us mark, that our resorting unto sermons must not be to commend the doctrine for good and holy: for God shall be much beholden to us for saying that his word is worthy to be received: he will not have us to be his judges. It is true that we owe him that acknowledgement, so as when we have heard his word, every of us ought to confess it to be the pure trueth,§30 and that there is none other rightness, righteousness, nor wisdom than is contained there. But yet must we pass further therewithal, and yield our selves to the serving of our God. That is one point which we have to gather upon this text. Another point is that we must beware that we keep it. Wherein God showeth, that we must apply all our strength earnestly in that behalf. For men shall never follow God by sleeping. Although they enforce themselves never so §40much, yet the infirmity of their nature is such, as they can hardly keep their feet. Therefore let us not think that we can discharge our selves to Godward without taking of pain. For the thing is too hard considering what we be, namely slow and sluggish to good things, yea even though God have already made us willing, and do govern us by his holy spirit. And if he let us alone as we be of our selves, we shall not only be slow, but also draw clean back from his will.§50 If he call us to him, we shall go from him: yea & we shall be so little able to covet any good at all: that we shall be enforced to do evil. But let us mark what I have touched afore, namely that although our Lord have given us some good disposition of mind, and set us in some good forwardness: