A17698:1429
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.
Therefore let us learn that in this case God stoopeth to us, as if he were a mortal man. Yet is not that any derogation to his majesty: but rather a record of his infinite goodness, in that he useth not his right with rigour, but forbeareth it and applieth himself after that fashion unto us, to do the things which he knoweth to be meet §10for our rudeness. And therefore whensoever we hear that God promiseth to prosper us, if we honour and serve him: Let us understand that his so doing is of free goodness, to win us the better, & because he is loth to use rigour towards us as he might do. But yet for all this, we must not imagine that he is bound to yield us any recompense or reward for our service. For it is not for us to enter into account in this behalf, as though we could win any thing by it: but we §20must receive whatsoever he offereth us as of his free gift, knowing our selves to be so much the more bound unto him.
Therefore let vs learne that in this case God stoopeth to vs, as if he were a mortall man. Yet is not that any derogation to his maiestie: but rather a recorde of his infinite goodnesse, in that he vseth not his right with rigor, but forbeareth it and applyeth himselfe after that fashion vnto vs, to doe the thinges which hee knoweth to be meete §10for our rudenesse. And therefore whensoeuer wee heare that God promiseth to prosper vs, if wee honor and serue him: Let vs vnderstand yt his so dooing is of free goodnesse, to win vs the better, & because he is loth to vse rigor towardes vs as he might doe. But yet for all this, we must not imagin that he is bound to yeelde vs any recompence or reward for our seruice. For it is not for vs to enter into account in this behalfe, as though wee could win any thing by it: but wee §20must receiue whatsoeuer hee offereth vs as of his free gift, knowing our selues to bee so much the more bound vnto him.