A17698:1715
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.
yes, but yet must not that put us out of conceit of the doctrine of the law, so as we should not love it, howbeit that we cannot perform it, until god have changed our harts to cause us to submit our selves unto him, and have made us new creatures in our lord Jesus christ. True it is that the setting forth of the law unto us, is not for nought: but yet must we needs perceive by experience, that until God hath brought us home again unto him, the doctrine of his law will serve for nothing but to condemn us. But when he hath once wrought in us by his holy spirit: then shall we perceive that in setting forth his law unto us, he procureth our benefit & welfare, according as is said of it here by Moses. And so you hear what we have to gather upon this text. But Moses doth yet better confirm the matter that we have seen; which is, that God held not his people down like slaves, not handled them roughly to be revenged of them, & ⟨p. 437⟩to make them feel the offence they had committed; but that he handled them after a gentle and loving fashion. Now then (saith he) hath the everlasting thy God any need of thee? Behold (saith he) the heavens, yea, and the heavens of heavens are Gods. As if he should say, you think that God would fain have a people, as though he could not forbear to be without them. Hath not he the skies at commandment? hath not he his heavenly host? hath he not whole millions of Angels?§10 hath he not peaceable dominion in heaven? Yes, and therefore ye must not imagine any more, that his choosing of you was to better his own estate by you. If he should destroy you, and make quite riddance of you, should his reign cease? No, no, and for proof thereof, he hath no need of men. Again, besides that, is not the earth and all things in it, in his possession? Yes: What is the cause then that he hath not taken and chosen other nations to him as §20well as you? Is it for that you are nobler, or mightier, or worthier in any respect, than the rest, as it is mentioned in the seventh Chapter?1 No. It is certain that the Jews were not better than the Gentiles: insomuch that if they should have been compared with them, they should have found themselves to have bin neither nobler of linage, nor richer in substance, nor vertuouser in life, nor to have excelled them in any thing.