A17698:1344
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.
But he putteth them to it, as we see in this text: yea & all the whole scripture is full of the same doctrine,1 namely that God recompenseth §60every man as they shall have served him. How can it then be, that God should both have respect of our life: & also love us of his own free mercy? Let us mark well the words that Moses useth here. For he saith that God will perform his covenant and mercy according as he hath promised, if he be honoured and served. In saying that God will perform his covenant and mercy, he showeth v• well that we must not begin at our own service▪ as though we would bring any thing unto God to move him to love us: For whereupon is his covenant grounded? Even upon his mercy. Now then let us see what his mercy is, & whereto it ought to be referred. First of all, it is his choosing of us. Although we be utterly froward, & deserve to be shaken off at his hand: yet doth he take us into his favour. Thus is it already a great and inestimable mercy, that although God find us lost and damned creatures: yet he vouchsafeth to take us for his people, advancing us to such dignity as to be of his household and Church. Now when he hath so begun, he must be fain to hold out still: that is to say, he must be fain to like well of us continually by reason of the same free favour which he beareth us, and all for our Lord Jesus Christs sake. So then, God maintaineth his mercy towards us, because he pitieth our wretchedness and misery. And although we be not worthy to be received: yet doeth he accept us. And wherefore? Because he loveth us in the person of his only son.2 But there is yet more: that is to wit that he useth mercy towards us, in bearing with our imperfections, and by that means accepteth our service, so that although it be faulty and have always some blemish in it: yet notwithstanding he admitteth it of his own goodness. Now we see what the covenant importeth, which Moses speaketh of here: namely that first and foremost God receiveth us to mercy, even without finding any thing but utter cursedness in us. And secondly, that he continueth his favour towards us for love of his only son, notwithstanding that he might find just cause in us, to shake us off and to hate us.