A17698:1138
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.
WE have seen oft heretofore how §30Moses spake to the people concerning the contents of the law: yea and even yesterday we saw that he made mention thereof:§40 and here we see the like again. And yet for all that, it is not a needless repetition, considering how soon men forget the things they have learned of God, if they be not put in mind of them: and we know that we need not any thing to turn us away from them. For we be so given to vanity, that nothing is harder to us, than to hold our selves in obedience unto God. As soon as any toy takes us in the head, it carieth us away, and we mind no more what §50God had said unto us. Again forasmuch as he is very desirous to win us to him: he must be fain to pluck up the false opinions by the root, wherewith we be overgrown aforehand. For when a ground is bushy, it will ask much labour before it can be put to any use: and even so is it with us. And that is the cause why Moses sayeth again, that these are the commandments, statutes and ordinances which the Lord committed to him, to give them forth to the people, that they might §60be kept. Now by these words he giveth an inkling, that Gods intent is to hold the people under his obedience. What mean ye wretched folk to go astray after that fashion? I give you my Law: and having that doctrine ye cannot go amiss: it is the way of salvation, and therefore hold you to it. But yet for all this, men are fickle and fleeting to and fro: and God reigneth them with a strong bit: like as when a horse is hard to be ruled, he is fain to be reigned back more than once, and if he fling out and will not suffer himself to be handled, the rider is fain to rein him straight again & again. After the same manner doeth God deal with his people. And thereby he showeth that mans mind is full of stubbornness, or else of lightness, so as he cannot rest upon Gods word, wherein notwithstanding lieth our whole salvation and welfare. Sith it is so:
WE haue sene oft heretofore howe §30Moses spake to the people concerning ye contents of the law: yea and euen yesterday we saw yt hee made mētion therof:§40 and here we see the like againe. And yet for all that, it is not a needelesse repetition, considering howe soone men forget the thinges they haue learned of God, if they be not put in mind of them: and wee knowe that we neede not any thing to turne vs away from them. For we be so giuen to vanitie, that nothing is harder to vs, than to holde our selues in obedience vnto God. As soone as any toy takes vs in the heade, it carieth vs away, and wee minde no more what