A17698:1751
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.
Certain it is that GOD intendeth not to to drive us away from him, but rather to win us to him by gentleness. But yet must we be fain to be tamed, because of the pride that is in us, least we grow bold to offend him, and cannot find in our hearts to be inured to his yoke, than the which there is not any thing more hard for us to do. We must (I say) be first subdued by the fear or terror that Moses speaketh of here, before we can conceive Gods goodness. But yet must it be so tempered, as we shun no• his good instruction, ne be so dismayed as to refuse Gods word out of hand; but as it may be as a preparative, to make us good scholars, and to draw our wits to such a teachableness, as all that ever we have of nature may be done away, and nothing may hinder us to receive his doctrine without gainsaying, but that his word (besides that we love it) may also be reverenced at our hands, and we follow it by submitting our selves to it always and in all cases.
Certaine it is that GOD intendeth not to to driue vs away from him, but rather to win vs to him by gentlenes. But yet must we bee fayne to bee tamed, bicause of the pride that is in vs, least wee growe bold to offend him, and cannot finde in our hearts to be inured to his yoke, than the which there is not any thing more harde for vs to doe. Wee must (I say) bee first subdued by the feare or terrour that Moses speaketh of here, before wee can conceiue Gods goodnesse. But yet must it be so tempered, as we shunne no• his good instruction, ne bee so dismaied as to refuse Gods word out of hand; but as it may be as a preparatiue, to make vs good scholers, and to drawe our wittes to such a teachablenesse, as all that euer we haue of nature may be done away, and nothing may hinder vs to receiue his doctrine without gainsaying, but yt his word (besides that wee loue it) may also bee reuerenced at our handes, and we follow it by submitting our selues to it alwayes and in all cases.
Now after that Moses hath said so, he addeth that God hath no respect of persons, nor receiveth any rewards. Whereas he sayeth that he hath no respect of persons, his meaning is that there is no favour to be had at his hand for the things that men are willingly moved with. For this word Perso tokeneth the outward appearance. It is not taken here nor in any other places of the scripture, for that which we mean by the word person when we say, Lo here is one person, Lo here are two persons: but it is taken for riches, poverty, birth, nobility, or honour. All things therefore that carry an outward show before men, to move us to favour them or to hate them, to honour them or despise them, all those things (I say) are comprehended under the word Person, for they believe