A17698:136
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 in his own person, he hath set us as it ⟨p. 25⟩were a looking glass before our eyes, to show us that we must follow the order that God hath set, and not swerve from it at all. If we do not so, it is an untolerable unthankfulness. We know what infirmity is in our selves: not only in some one point but in all things are we so frail as is pity to see. But our Lord hath well provided for all our needs, and given us remedies for them. As for example, he hath given us meat and drink to maintain this §10transitory life of ours, he hath ordained Magistracy to govern us, he hath ordained the ministry of his word to rule our souls, and he hath given singular gifts of grace to several persons, so as they be able to give us counsel, and to comfort and encourage their neighbours, and to help them at their need. What is to be done then? Whensoever we be cumbered or in any perplexity, let us look that we use the means of remedy that GOD giveth §20us, yea and to use them always in his fear. For we may be abused, as we have seen. What is to be done then? We must not turn aside nor stop for such as have neither right nor reason in them, but every of us must further himself by such means as God giveth him, even as though he were going to God himself. And that will make us to use the order of Law lawfully, which thing men do not now. And it is a point well worthy to be marked, to §30wit, how men may repulse injuries, and how they ought to behave themselves, when any of us findeth himself entangled or in perplexity, let us pray to God to direct us. If we did so, surely we would not go to law but with trembling, and we would say in our selves, I go now to present my self as it were before my God. But how go men to it nowadays? Rather to seek a cloak for all naughtiness: so as there is neither craft, nor spite, nor any other wickedness §40which is not to be found there. And why? For without having any regard of God, there is nothing thought upon but how to beguile men, or how to wind them in by some wicked practise. So much the more need therefore have we to mark well what is said here, that is to wit, that according as God hath ordained states and degrees among men: so must men dispose things and direct them by the order that God hath set and established.