A17698:1580
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.
Surely we should be left bare, accordingly also as the same similitude is alleged in Exodus,1 that the people had made themselves bare of his protection, by making the golden calf. For they had no more any God to maintain them. And even so would it befall us also that we should make our selves bare every day, by putting our selves out of the protection of our God: were it not that some do set themselves in the breach. And therefore let us learn that oftentimes §10God spareth us, because there are some that make intercession for us, even whom we know not of. And let us think upon it the more, forasmuch as every of us feeleth himself cold in praying, and that we go not to it with such courage and earnestness as God commandeth. [Let every of us bethink our selves thus:] Alas, if I were alone, and all the world were like me: what would become of it? We might perish for we are not worthy that GOD §20should regard us. But we must understand, that it is not our Lords will that we should perish, when he ordaineth men to come before him after that manner. And therefore howsoever we fare, after we have rebuked our selves, let us proceed to this zeal of praying both for our selves and for other men, and let us not doubt but God will have pity upon us, yea and even forgive our neighbours also at our request. Trueth it is that in this case we must §30not bring any overweening with us, to advance our selves as though we could further the salvation of other men: but we must take it as God showeth it. Behold I am not worthy that God should hear me my self: and yet notwithstanding he vouchsafeth to hear me, not only for my self, or for three or four moe•punc; but also for a whole nation. Let every of us do this, and let us consider how merciful our God is to us, seeing he not only vouchsafeth to regard §40us our selves, us wretched sinners, us that have turned our backs upon him, us that have not ceased to provoke his wrath against us: but also vouchsafeth for our sakes, to accept our prayers and supplications not only for our private friends, but also for his whole Church. For it behoveth us to pray generally for all the faithful, yea and for them whom we know not, yea and moreover even for the unbelievers if there be any mean to convert them.