A17698:1617
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.
and that if we should go about to lift up our heads, it were meet that we should §60be thrust back, and that GOD should knock us hard upon the pates with a cudgel, to show us that our pride is devilish against him. Then let us mark that Moses spake not only to the Jews: but that the same lesson is told unto us at this day: in so much that if we will yield glory unto GOD, we must be bereft of all praise, and not presume any whit at all of our own virtues, but assure our selves that there is not aught in us but utter vanity.
and that if wee shoulde goe about to lift vp our heades, it were meete that wee should §60bee thrust backe, and that GOD should knock vs harde vpon the pates with a cudgell, to shew vs that our pride is diuelishe against him. Then let vs marke that Moses spake not onely to the Iewes: but that the same lesson is toulde vnto vs at this day: in so much that if wee will yeeld glory vnto GOD, we must be bereft of all prayse, and not presume any whit at all of our owne vertues, but assure our selues that there is not aught in vs but vtter vanitie.
Furthermore for as much as we come not to such mildness of our one accord: let us have an eye to our sins, and not tarry till God open his books of account as he will do at the last day, for then it will be too late for us to yield our selves guilty. But let us bethink us of our sins now while he summoneth us by his word, and while he warneth us aforehand. Let every of us submit himself as a wretched offender before his Judge, and let us acknowledge our selves to be justly accused, yea even of infinite faults, before God. And when we have bethought us of one offence, let the same minister occasion to us to bethink us of another. And to be short, let us both generally and particularly practise this lesson of considering what we be, yea even without flattering of our selves, that all the good which we receive at Gods hand may be fathered upon him, and the honour which he reserveth to himself remain whole and undiminished unto him. Let us not covet to enrich our selves with the things which we have borrowed of him: let us not seek to attire and deck our selves with his feathers: but let us acknowledge that it is of his own free goodness that he vouchsafeth to show himself so liberal, though he be not bound thereto. And for our parts, seeing we cannot bring any desert unto him, but we be guilty in all cases and all respects: he of his inestimable mercy must be fain to bear with us, or else we would be deadly enemies to him still, & he should be driven to thunder down upon us. Thus ye see what we have to mark generally upon this text.