A17698:1683
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.
which to do, there is none other mean but only that God show himself loving and favourable towards us, and that is the blessing which is spoken of here. For when the scripture saith that God blesseth men, it is as much to say, as that he showeth them by effect that he loveth them, and maketh them to feel the fruit & operation of his grace and fatherly adoption. Now therefore when we come to hear the Gospel, let us consider to what end it is: that is to wit, to certify us that God looketh upon us with pity, even upon us wretched creatures, and that he setteth us free from the cursedness that is in us, insomuch that although we deserve to be cast off at his hand, yet nevertheless he showeth himself gracious unto us, and that whereas he might with good right be our enemy, he showeth himself as a father towards us. Let us (say I) be well advised that we make our profit of this doctrine, when it is preached unto us.1 For whereas we be assured by the scriptures, that God showeth himself favourable to us, in laying aside all enmity that was betwixt him and us by reason of our sins: if the same were well printed in our hearts, we would have an other manner of desire than we have, to set forth his praise. What a treasure is it, that ⟨p. 429⟩our Lord showeth himself so to us, as though we saw him in his own person? & that he openeth the heavens to assure us that he loveth us, even us which make war against him, insomuch that whereas he should utterly mislike of us, he vouchsafeth nevertheless to take us into his favour, & maketh us to feel it in very deed. But what? We welter in our own dung even till we do as it were stink in it, without any care or regard at all. And that is the cause of such contempt of the gospel, & §10of such unthankfulness as is seen almost every where. Yet notwithstanding, it behoveth the faithful to consider of how great value it is,2 that God receiveth them to mercy, & showeth himself to be a father to them, & that such as are appointed to preach his word, are as witnesses to certify us that God beareth us such fatherly love. Trueth it is that this was accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ, for he was the only priest: and that that which we do, is not to take his office upon us, but only to