A17698:1711
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.
we come to the well head, and to the very root, which is that GOD requireth such a soundness, as not only we should do whatsoever he commandeth us, but also have a pleasure in it, so as our chief delight should be therein, and when we see an agreeableness between God & our affections, we should be gladder thereof than if we had obtained all our fleshly desires & likings. Again, men should not be doubtful of the means how to serve God as we see the world hath always been, by swerving from the rule that is contained in Gods word. What is it that is termed Gods service in the Popedom nowadays, but fancies that men have devised without any reason? And no marvel. For (to their seeming) Gods law was of no great importance, neither did they busy their heads greatly about it. And therefore needs must they invent a great number of other small trifles. But they that give them selves to Gods law, do see, there is cause for them to say thus; Alas, although I take never so much pain, yet can I not compass it, but always I come short of my ways end. Nay (which more is) all my enforcing of my self is in vain: in so much that if my God were not merciful to me, to give me power & strength, I should go clean backward, and contrary to his will.
wee come to the wel head, and to the verie roote, which is that GOD requireth such a soundenesse, as not onely wee should doe whatsoeuer hee cōmandeth vs, but also haue a pleasure in it, so as our chiefe delight should be therin, and when we see an agreeablenes betwene God & our affections, we should be gladder therof than if wee had obtained all our fleshly desires & likings. Againe, men should not be doutfull of the meanes howe to serue God as wee see the worlde hath alwayes beene, by swaruing from the rule that is contained in Gods worde. What is it that is termed Gods seruice in the Popedome nowadayes, but fansies that men haue deuised without any reason? And no maruel. For (to their seeming) Gods law was of no great importance, neither did they busie their heads greatly about it. And therefore needs must they inuent a great number of other small trifles. But they that giue them selues to Gods lawe, doe see, there is cause for them to saye thus; Alas, although I take neuer so much paine, yet can I not compasse it, but alwayes I come short of my wayes ende. Nay (which more is) all my inforcing of my selfe is in vaine: in so much that if my God were not mercifull to mee, to giue me power & strength, I shoulde goe cleane backewarde, and contrarie to his will.