A17698:164
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.
True it is, that he showeth us by the holy scripture, that there is not one drop of power in us that tendeth unto good, but that we be wholly given to evil. And yet notwithstanding it is his will also that when he hath put his gracious gifts into us, we should make them available, without challenging any thing at all to our selves. For in this case it is not for us to glory in our selves, nor to trust in our own legs, according whereunto it is said in the Psalm to such as are given to the world,1 that they must not trust in their own strength, nor in the strength of their horses. If this be said of the things that pertain to this flightfull life: what is to be said of the spiritual life which is much more excellent? So then ⟨p. 29⟩without attributing any thing to our selves, let us endeavour nevertheless seeing that God commandeth us, and let us go on to enter into the possession of the spiritual kingdom whereunto he calleth us. And that is the cause why I said that we must evermore come back to our Lord Jesus Christ, and there seek the thing that is wanting in our selves. For we know that his suffering of his death and passion, was to exalt us above the heavens: and although we do §10but creep upon the earth, or rather be so lop-heavy that we sink still downward, to plunge our selves in the bottomless gulfs: yet will our Lord Jesus lift us up, according as he himself was exalted, to the same end and intent, as is declared in the third Chapter of the Gospel of S. John.2
True it is, that hee sheweth vs by the holy scripture, that there is not one drop of power in vs that tendeth vnto good, but that wee be wholly giuen to euill. And yet notwithstanding it is his will also that when he hath put his gratious gifts into vs, we shoulde make them auaylable, without chalenging any thing at all to our selues. For in this case it is not for vs to glorie in our selues, nor to trust in our owne legges, according wherevnto it is saide in the Psalme to such as are giuen to the worlde,1 that they must not trust in their owne strength, nor in the strength of their horses. If this bee saide of the thinges that perteine to this flightfull life: what is to bee saide of the spirituall life which is much more excellent? So then