A17698:1430
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.
Moreover let us mark what hath bin told us heretofore: namely that the land which Moses promiseth here unto the people,1 had bin promised already four hundred years afore, when none of them all was yet borne: & therefore God had not an eye to any of their deservings. But now he saith that they should enjoy the promise §30which God had made them of his own mere goodness. And so we have to gather in effect, that all that ever we receive at Gods hand, springeth out of none other fountain than only his mere mercy, because he is good, because he hath pity upon us, because he hath not any respect to our worthiness but only to himself, & because it pleaseth him to be so bountiful towards us. Mark that for a special point. But yet for all that, if we will well enjoy his benefits, if we will have §40them available to our salvation, & if we will have the continual possession of them: we on our side must look to answer to the grace that God showeth us. And how shall we answer it? Verily not by shrinking away from him, nor by refusing the things that he offereth us to draw us to him: but by knowing the right & lawful use of the benefits which he bestoweth upon us, so as we love him & glorify him for them, & every of us spend himself in his service. Therefore whensoever our Lord shall §50have done us any good: let us understand that the same cometh not for aught on our behalf, but rather that we be so much the more beholden unto him. And to the end we may possess & enjoy the same benefits, & that they may profit us to our souls health: let us be well advised therewithal, that we be the more provoked thereby to serve God, forasmuch as he showeth himself so liberal towards us. That is the thing in effect, which we have to gather upon that text.
Moreouer let vs marke what hath bin tolde vs heretofore: namely that the land which Moses promiseth here vnto the people,1 had bin promised already foure hundred yeeres afore, whē none of them all was yet borne: & therfore God had not an eye to anie of their deseruinges. But now he saith that they should inioy the promise §30