A17698:1347
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.
insomuch that the true perfection that is in men during this mortal life, is to know the evil that is in us and how wretched we be.
insomuch that the true perfection that is in mē during this mortall lyfe, is to knowe the euill that is in vs and how wretched we be.
On the contrary part, as for those that make themselves idols, bearing themselves in hand that they be come already to the highest top of perfection: they burst themselves with pride, and do but shroud a secret filthiness within, whereby they bewray that they know not yet what it is to love God and to serve him. For otherwise they should never be so blinded with mad self-trust, as to bear themselves in hand that they be throughly righteous. Seeing then that although we endeavour never so much to serve God, we shall go limping and drag our legs after us: let us be sure that God shall never be in danger or debt to any of us, but rather we shall be condemned in all our works. We may well allege, I was willing, and I did mine endeavour: but that is not all that we have to do. For the will shall always be found very weak, so as if we have one good affection, there shall be a dozen evil ones for it. And so by that means all of us should be disappointed of the hope that God giveth us by his promises, if they should be taken so rawly & according to the naked letter where it is said: If ye serve me, I will do ye good. But now let men strain themselves as much as they list: when they come to their audit there will be so many abatements, as will show that all Gods promises can stand them in no stead. And therefore they must come to the second remedy, which is that God supplieth our defaults: and that although all our works deserve naught else but condemnation, yet notwithstanding God accepteth them and taketh them for good, of his own fatherly goodness: and not of any duty that he is bound unto. Then let us not be so blind as the wretched papists, who when they hear that God addeth any condition to his promises, do by & by step up with their ergoes, and fall to descanting of their own free will and deservings. But contrariwise, let us assure our selves that when God speaketh to us in such order of speech as is showed us here, although he come to us with gentleness: yet doth it nothing avail us, until he use his own mere mercy to save us throughout, not for any desert of ours, but because it pleaseth him so to do. Mark that for a special point.