A17698:1461
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.
If God command us to be patient in adversity, we think it a hard thing: and yet is it good §40reason that we should pass that way, seeing we have a pattern and image thereof in our Lord Jesus Christ, unto whom we must be like fashioned, if we will be Gods children,1 nor only in suffering quietly the afflictions which he sendeth us in this present life, but also in being ready and obedient to him even to the death. Ye see then that it is a most rightful condition: and yet we on our side do find it cumbersome.§50 And why? Because we be too nice, and our self love doeth so carry us away, that we can not abide to suffer any thing. Now if we bewray great unthankfulness and fault in this: much more do we bewray the same when we cannot so conceive of Gods benefices, as to be thankful to him for them. Herein (say I) we show our selves to be too too lewd. For if GOD deal gently with us and show himself fatherlike towards us: must it not needs §60be that we are worse than brute beasts, if we vouchsafe not to lift up our eyes towards heaven, to yield him some acknowledgement of his goodness. Now although this be a detestable vice: yet is it common & too common among men. And if every man look into himself: in manner all shall find themselves guilty of it. If there were no further than y• outward Ceremony of thanksgiving: yet is it apparent that men make none account of it. Do all men bear in mind to call upon Gods name when they sit down to the table? Or when they have taken their repast, do they remember to acknowledge that they be beholden to him for their life, and for all things else that are requisite for their sustenance? Nay rather, they chop down to the table like Swine, and start up like dogs, so as there is no tidings nor remembrance of Gods name among them, but to their seeming it is a spice of monkish hypocrisy or pope-holiness to thank God. Lo how far the world is out of square. Howbeit when we have praised God both at the beginning and at the ending of our repast, yet is not that enough to discharge us. Therefore if we fail in that: we be double unhappy. For what will we do in the greater things, if we cannot perform the lesser?
If God commaund vs to be patient in aduersitie, wee thinke it a hard thing: and yet is it good