A17698:1176
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 therefore let us remember, that the §50first point of serving God aright, is to be led unto him, yea and to be led thither upon knowledge of this word Saviour, so as we covet above all things to be so knit unto him, as all our joy, contentation and rest be there, that by that mean we may no more be given to the things that are contrary to his righteousness. And that is the cause why we say, that we must first know Gods grace and goodness, before we can serve him. For as for such as serve God for fear §60of being damned, not knowing that he will be their saviour: what do they? They seem to enforce themselves greatly forward: but in deed they draw clean back. Though they break both their arms and their legs, yet are they never the forwarder. And for that cause is it said in the hundred and thirtieth psalm,1 Because the Lord hath bin merciful, and men have found him gentle and gracious: therefore is he feared and dreaded. In deed the world thinketh to serve GOD well enough, without knowing him, and we see that the Papists do this and that upon such opinion. But what for that? In the mean while they have no trust in God, they never knew his will nor his loving kindness: and therefore are they always in terror and unquietness.
And therefore let vs remember, that the §50first point of seruing God aright, is to bee led vnto him, yea and to be led thither vpō knowledge of this worde Sauiour, so as we couet aboue all things to be so knit vnto him, as all our ioy, contentation and rest bee there, that by that meane we may no more be giuen to the thinges that are contrarie to his righteousnesse. And that is the cause why wee say, that we must first know Gods grace and goodnesse, before we can serue him. For as for such as serue God for feare §60of being damned, not knowing that hee will bee their sauiour: what doe they? They seeme to inforce themselues greatly foreward: but in deede they drawe cleane backe. Though they breake both their armes and their legges, yet are they neuer the forewarder. And for that cause is it sayde in the hundred and thirtith psalme,1