A17698:1649
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 above all things, let us acknowledge the hardness of our hearts, in that we cannot submit our selves to God because we be stubborn against him, and all the affections of our flesh are at enmity with him.1 After that manner (say I) must we confess our faults, if we mind to obtain forgiveness of §10them. For as for them that come to God ceremoniously, confessing themselves to have done amiss, and not being touched to the quick with their lewdness, nor minding to acknowledge it in their hearts: they do but play mock holiday, and they shall feel with whom they have to do, and that God is not an earthly judge that can be deceived when men crave pardon feignedly. And therefore when we pray unto God, let every of us quicken up himself in acknowledging our §20faults better than we have bin wont to do: & let the same so pull us down, as we may not wot what to say, but thus, Alas Lord what should become of us if it were not for thine inestimable mercy? For behold, we be even as it were utterly overwhelmed: and though we knew but the hundred part of the offences that we have committed, surely it were enough to sink us down to the bottomless pit, unless thou remedy it. And as for thee that judgest after a far §30other fashion: how should we be able to stand in thy presence, if thou wouldest use thy rigour towards us? Lo here the right lowliness which God commandeth: which is, that when we be so ashamed of our sins as we wot not what to say, we flee for refuge to Gods mercy hoping that howsoever the case stand, he of his great goodness will not refuse to take us to mercy.
And aboue all thinges, let vs acknowledge the hardnesse of our heartes, in that wee cannot submit our selues to God because wee be stubborne against him, and all the affections of our flesh are at enmitie with him.1 After that manner (say I) must we confesse our faults, if we minde to obtaine forgiuenesse of §10them. For as for them yt come to God ceremoniously, cōfessing thēselues to haue done amisse, and not being touched to the quicke with their leawdnesse, nor minding to acknowledge it in their hearts: they doe but play mockeholyday, and they shall feele with whom they haue to do, and that God is not an earthly iudge that can be deceiued when men craue pardon feynedly. And therefore when we pray vnto God, let euerie of vs quicken vp himselfe in acknowledging our