A17698:1609
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.
But there is also another cause: which is, that we have as it were a figure or image, that Gods once writing of his Law is not enough for us: but that we have need of a second writing of it, to the intent it may avail us, and the doctrine thereof benefit us by showing it self to be lively and of effectual force and power.§10 And that is the thing which the Prophets mean in saying,1 that GOD will make a new Covenant with his faithful ones, not as he did with their fathers in Egypt, but by writing his Law in their hearts, and by engraving it in their bowels. And therefore let us mark well that GOD meant to do us to understand, that his writing of his Law in the two tables of stone, was by and by void and of none effect. And why? Because that, if God §20do but write his Law, or cause it to be preached to us only by word of mouth: there will never be any hold or tack in it: and he showeth that the blame thereof is in our selves, because we be not steadfast in keeping the promise that we have made unto GOD, but become variable, and start aside out of hand. God for his part, doth well perform whatsoever he promiseth us: but we break off all acquaintance and union with him, so as we be cut §30off and banished from him, and we bereave our selves of all the promises that he offered us: and therefore after he hath once written his law, he must be fain to turn again and write it the second time. As how? For figures do not always represent the full truth, but there is oftentimes some difference. Then let us mark that the figure varieth from the truth which God showeth us and maketh us to perceive For he writeth not his Law the second time in stones: but rather §40whereas our hearts were hard before, he changeth them and maketh them soft: and in stead of stony hearts (as sayeth Ezekiel,2) he giveth us hearts of flesh: that is to say, he softeneth our hearts and maketh them pliable, to the intent we should receive his Law, and have it engraven us, and be able to do and to follow whatsoever he commandeth us. Therefore let us bear this figure well in mind, for as much as it is for our benefit. In deed as concerning