A17698:1455
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.
Why then hath he given us his law, but to the end that we should dedicate our whole life unto him, and by keeping his commandments show our selves willing to be subject unto him, and that he hath all sovereign dominion over us? That is the thing which is meant by the fear that Moses speaketh of here. And let us note that he meaneth not a slavish fearfulness,§40 that is to say, that men should submit themselves to him as enforced: but that we should stand in reverend awe of him, not only as of our master but also as of our father. The fear which GOD requireth, is matched with hearty love: so as we be glad and fain to serve him. And why? Because it is good reason that we should be his, and that he should have the governing of us, & that we should frame our lives according to his will. And so ye see what is §50the chief point in the keeping of the Law.
Why then hath hee giuen vs his lawe, but to the ende that wee should dedicate our whole life vnto him, and by keeping his commaundementes shewe our selues willing to bee subiect vnto him, and that hee hath all souereine dominion ouer vs? That is the thing which is meant by the feare that Moses speaketh of heere. And let vs note that he meaneth not a slauish fearefulnesse,§40 that is to say, that men should submitte themselues to him as inforced: but that wee should stand in reuerend awe of him, not onely as of our master but also as of our father. The feare which GOD requireth, is matched with heartie loue: so as wee bee gladde and faine to serue him. And why? Because it is good reason that we should be his, and that he shoulde haue the gouerning of vs, & that we should frame our liues according to his wil. And so yee see what is §50the chiefe point in the keeping of the Lawe.
Furthermore let us mark, that it is not enough for men to live uprightly, so as they abstain from all evil and vice, and deal in such sort as nothing but virtue can be found in them: For a man may well be chaste, and abstain from all wrong, annoyance, deceit, blasphemy, and lewd talk: and yet shall all this be nothing worth, except he refer all to the said end of offering up of himself in sacrifice unto God, Virtues therefore