A17698:1201
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.
Thus have we here a general rule: which is, that after as GOD giveth us ease and the commodities of this world, so must we be the more disposed to love him: for that gentleness of his draweth us unto him. And when we have so tasted of his goodness and found savour in it: needs must there be too great unkindness and churlishness in us, if we be not moved to love him as we ought to do. And that must be not only in our eating & drinking, but also in all things that concern this present life. As for example, if GOD give us peace and quietness, whiles others are in trouble or at wars: if we be unvexed of plagues and diseases, while we see a number of other folks afflicted: let us understand that our Lord allureth us gently unto him, and would fain win us by such kindness, and therefore if we vouchsafe not to come unto him, we shall pay right dear for the things that we shall have received at his hand. True it is that God requireth not any payment at our hands: for we have not any thing to give him: but yet will be have us to be thankful towards him for our duties sake. If we do not so: it must be laid to our charge, that being not his children, we have treacherously robbed him of his goods.
Thus haue wee heere a generall rule: which is, that after as GOD giueth vs ease and the commodities of this world, so must wee bee the more disposed to loue him: for that gentlenesse of his draweth vs vnto him. And when we haue so tasted of his goodnesse and found sauour in it: needes must there bee too great vnkindenesse and churlishnesse in vs, if wee bee not moued to loue him as we ought to doe. And that must be not only in our eating & drinking, but also in all thinges that concerne this present lyfe. As for example, if GOD giue vs peace and quietnesse, whiles others are in trouble or at warres: if wee bee vnuexed of plagues and diseases, while wee see a number of other folkes afflicted: let vs vnderstand that our Lord allureth vs gently vnto him, and would faine winne vs by such kindenesse, and therefore if wee voutsafe not to come vnto him, wee shall pay right deare for the thinges that wee shall haue receiued at his hand. True it is that God requireth not any payment at our handes: for we haue not any thing to giue him: but yet will be haue vs to bee thankefull towardes him for our dueties sake. If wee doe not so: it must bee layd to our charge, that being not his children, wee haue treacherously robbed him of his goods.