A17698:1265
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 why? For there is not that man which transgresseth §60not the Law in some point or other: nay, not only in some one point, but in all points throughout, when we have caste up our account. For we never serve GOD with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength as hath bin said heretofore. And even when we do any good works to outward appearance, there is always some coldness, some slothfulness, or some one thing or other mingled with them, to hinder us. And therefore the work is still faulty. Thus we cease not to break Gods Law in all points, so as we must needs yield our selves guilty, confessing that if God listed to judge us rigorously, he should needs reject us. Now we see that although the Law contain the true rule of righteousness: yet can it not make us righteous, because of the weakness of our flesh, as saith Saint Paul in the seventh to the Romans.1 It remaineth now to know, in what sense that is spoken: For it seemeth to be to no purpose, that God should promise to accept them for righteous which keep his law: and yet notwithstanding that all of us should be bereft thereof.
And why? For there is not that man which trāsgresseth §60not the Lawe in some poynt or other: nay, not onely in some one poynt, but in all poyntes throughout, when wee haue caste vp our account. For wee neuer serue GOD with all our heart, with all our soule, and with all our strength as hath bin sayd heeretofore. And euen when wee doe any good woorkes to outward appearance, there is alwayes some coldenesse, some slothfulnesse, or some one thing or other mingled with them, to hinder vs. And therefore the worke is still faultie. Thus wee cease not to breake Gods Lawe in all pointes, so as wee must needes yeelde our selues guiltie, cōfessing that if God listed to iudge vs rigorously, hee shoulde needes reiect vs. Now wee see that although the Lawe conteine the true rule of righteousnesse: yet can it not make vs righteous, because of the weakenesse of our fleshe, as sayth Saint Paul in the seuenth to the Romans.1 It remaineth now to knowe, in what sense that is spoken: For it seemeth to be to no purpose, that God should promise to accept thē for righteous which keepe his lawe: and yet notwithstanding that all of vs shoulde bee bereft thereof.