A17698:1652
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.
Likewise when we pray, before we open our mouth we must be taught of God, he must direct us by his word, for we cannot call upon him rightly,1 except he have first prevented us and called us to him, so as we be sure that he will hear us. For as for the man that doubteth and floateth like the waves of the sea (sayeth Saint James),2 let him not look to obtain any thing. So then our prayers boot us not at all, without certainty of faith. Now let us see whence we may get such certainty ⟨p. 418⟩of faith. Surely even by Gods word, and that is it that Moses hath followed. He knew the promise that had proceeded out of Gods mouth, whereupon he resteth, & thereupon maketh mention of Abraham Isaac & Jacob. And why? For it was they that had received the promise, as well in their own behalf, as in the behalf of their successors. But now do we see that we have a Mediator to ratify the new covenant that God hath made with us. Before Jesus Christ came into the §10world, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were as mediators after a sort, because they received that promise in the name of the whole Church. But now God sendeth us back to his only son, in whose person it is his will to ratify all that ever he had promised. How then shall we have any certainty, except we repair to our Lord Jesus Christ, and pray to God his father to remember him, & not to look at us, as in very deed the ancient fathers have showed us the good way already in §20the time of the shadows, although they had not the trueth so fully as we have it in the Gospel? For since the time that the kingdom was settled in the house of David, and this promise made, He shall be my son:3 we see that the fathers prayed after this manner: Lord look upon the countenance of thy Christ or thine anointed. But they spake of Davids successors. It is true: Howbeit forasmuch as that temporal kingdom was a figure of the kingdom that is prepared for us in §30the person of our Lord Jesus Christ: the ancient fathers looked thereat as it were to behold Jesus Christ in a glass. Now then seeing that the son of God is come, & hath told us that it is he to whom we must repair: what excuse will there be for us, if we rove here and there, and seek other mediators to resort unto? Is it not a bereaving of Gods son of his office?