A17698:1642
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.
Now let us come to the form of the prayer that Moses maketh. Lord God (saith he) destroy not the people of thine heritage whom thou hast redeemed by thy mighty power & strong hand, out of the ⟨p. 415⟩land of Egypt. Bethink thy self of thy servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: and have not an eye to the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their offence. Here we see what it is that Moses allegeth unto God: namely, his gracious favour wherethrough he had chosen the offspring of Abraham. And so we see here a good rule for us to keep in praying unto God: which is, that if we intend to obtain our requests at his hand, we must not presume upon any thing that is in §10our selves, but rather allege his own goodness which he hath made us to feel. As if we should say, Lord, go forward with thy work, thou hast begun to call us to thee, we be as much beholden to thy goodness as is possible: therefore hold thou on still, finish the thing that thou hast begun, and let not thy work stay unperfected, as it is said in the hundred and eight and thirtieth Psalm.1 And it is such a doctrine as we may gather, upon all the prayers that are contained §20in the holy scripture.
Now let vs come to the forme of the prayer that Moses maketh. Lord God (saith he) destroy not the people of thine heritage whō thou hast redeemed by thy mightie power & strong hand, out of the ⟨p. 415⟩land of Egypt. Bethinke thy selfe of thy seruauntes Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob: and haue not an eye to the stubbornnesse of this people, nor to their wickednesse, nor to their offence. Here we see what it is that Moses alledgeth vnto God: namely, his gracious fauour wherethrough he had chosen the ofspring of Abraham. And so we see here a good rule for vs to keepe in praying vnto God: which is, that if we intende to obtain our requests at his hand, we must not presume vppon any thing that is in §10our selues, but rather alledge his own goodnesse which hee hath made vs to feele. As if wee should say, Lord, go forward with thy work, thou hast begunne to call vs to thee, wee bee as much beholden to thy goodnesse as is possible: therefore holde thou on stil, finish the thing that thou hast begun, and let not thy worke stay vnperfected, as it is saide in the hundreth and eight and thirtith Psalme.