A17698:1708
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.
Now this reverence requireth also love. For God will be honoured with hearty affection. If we reverence his majesty, & yet stand in fear of it, so as it is a terror to us: then would we wish that §10there were no God at all, and we could find in our hearts to pluck him out of his seat, if it were possible. As many as worship God upon no further ground, but for that they are sure they cannot scape his hand, & because they know him to be their maker; those (say I) being not touched with any free love, will shun God; and when they hear any speaking of him, it grieveth them; insomuch that if it were in their choice & power, they would pluck him out of his seat if §20they could, as I said afore. So then, it is not possible for us to fear God, (I mean to yield him right reverence, so as we bear a hearty god will to him, & have a feeling of his goodness towards us, & that he is the place where we must seek all our welfare) unless we love him. Therefore if we have not this love, there will be no reverence at all. Wherefore let us learn, that God requireth freewill offerings, that is to say, that our offering of our selves unto him should not be of force or constraint,§30 but with such devotion as we should be desirous to serve him, & as we might protest with David,1 not only that we set more store by his law than by gold & silver; but also that it is more sweet & pleasant to us, than honey. Thus ye see what the second word Love importeth.
Now this reuerence requireth also loue. For God wilbee honored with harty affection. If we reuerence his maiestie, & yet stand in feare of it, so as it is a terror to vs: then would wee wish that §10there were no God at all, and wee coulde fynd in our heartes to plucke him out of his seate, if it were possible. As many as woorship God vppon no further grounde, but for that they are sure they cannot scape his hād, & because they know him to be their maker; those (say I) being not touched with any free loue, wil shunne God; and when they heare any speaking of him, it grieueth them; insomuch that if it were in their choyce & power, they woulde plucke him out of his seat if §20