A17698:165
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.
Furthermore, to the end we may be discharged of all selftrust, let us look upon the notable example that was given us at the death §20of our Lord Jesus Christ. For if we will go the right way to heaven, we must follow the poor thief to whom he said, This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. Howe can we be sure that GOD will bring us to the kingdom of heaven, seeing that we seek hell, and all our affections, all our thoughts, all our desires, all our powers, and all our works, tend wholly thither, even to separate us from God, and to alienate us from his kingdom, and to §30drive us away from life and salvation? How may we (say I) be sure that God will take us up into his heavenly kingdom? We must have recourse to this word that was spoken to the poor thief: This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. Seeing it is so that our Lord died, & that he entered into such gulfs of sorrow, that he was pinched so far as to abide the torments that were due unto us, and not only abode the reproach and grief of bodily death, but also felt the Justice §40of God, and became as a wretched offender to bear all the sins of the world: let us not doubt but he hath delivered us from the pains & anguish which we should have felt, and will lift us up to himself, and therefore now let us not be afraid of death. But first of all it behoveth us to follow the poor thief. What had he in him to bring him to the kingdom of heaven? He was fastened to a cross, he had his arms and legs broken, he seemed to be but §50a wretched carcass, there was nothing but reproach in him. Thus then you see how he was an ugly mirror to look upon: and yet nevertheless, Jesus Christ promiseth him to make him his partaker and companion of his heavenly glory. And what had he been all the time of his life? So lewd and wicked both before God and man, that he was worse than condemned and accursed. Will we then be the heirs of God? We must follow this thief §60who had the preeminence to go before us into the heritage of heaven. And how [must we follow him?] We must acknowledge that naturally there is nothing in us but utter wickedness, and that GOD might justly hold us accursed.
Furthermore, to the ende wee may bee discharged of all selftrust, let vs looke vppon the notable example that was giuen vs at the death