A17698:1693
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.
warning us to pray him to govern us with his holy spirit, so as he suffer us not to be led out of the way, nor to fall to wilful breaking of the covenant, which ought to be kept unviolated, as well on our part by our faithful obedience, as it is on his part, yea & that with such constancy, that although we offend him daily, yet he ceaseth not to continue steadfast still in his purpose. And to be the better assured of this doctrine, let us always have recourse to this saying, that the Land of Canaan was as an earnest penny of the everlasting inheritance to the fathers that lived under the Law.1 And so the things that are set down in the holy scripture, must be to us as a looking glass or picture, wherein to behold the manner of Gods guiding of us, till we be come to the everlasting life. The people of Israel was chosen before they were born, God showed his favour to them by the law, & moreover he chastised them, insomuch that he listed not to put them in possession of their promised heritage out of hand, as in deed they were not worthy of it, but yet for all that they came into it at the last. And so we perceive, that our Lord hath not delayed his receiving of us till we come unto him: but that he hath prevented us, with his infinite goodness, insomuch that he hath chosen us before the making of the world, & hath offered us his grace & confirmed it by the preaching of the Gospel,2 as well as the Law was published by the hand of Moses. For our Lord Jesus Christ hath vouchsafed to be a faithful witness of God his father, & of the love that he bringeth us. And because he is not abiding any more here below with us in his own person, he hath appointed his ministers to whom he hath given authority to preach in his name,3 & therewithal hath given commandment to all people to receive them, saying, he that heareth you, heareth me. And he hath given them express charge to preach the forgiveness of sins, as if they should draw the wretched captive souls out of the bondage of hell. Ye see then how our Lord Jesus Christ hath uttered the grace that was unknown unto us before: but we take small profit by it. For although we were baptised from our infancy, yet when we come to years of discretion, whereby begin we to show our selves to have some wit, but by choosing ⟨p. 432⟩