A17698:1806
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.
But surely mans frailty is such, as he can never attain to the full performing of the law: but yet must we still endeavour towards it. When we have enforced our selves to yt uttermost, yet shall we be behind hand still in many things. And if we enter into account for every point which we shall have performed, we shall have failed in a hundred. Therefore let us acknowledge our faults: but yet for all that, the mark that we must shoot at, must be the obeying of our God without exception,§10 so as we make no parting of stakes with him to say, Go to, as for in this thing, I am contented to yield to God, but he must pardon me in that thing, and he must bear with me for the other matter. If we fall to such chaffering with him, we shall find in the end that our fond overweening hath beguiled us.
But surely mans frailty is such, as he can neuer attaine to the full performing of the law: but yet must we stil indeuour towards it. When we haue inforced our selues to yt vttermost, yet shal we be behind hand stil in many things. And if we enter into accoūt for euery poynt which we shal haue performed, we shall haue failed in a hundred. Therefore let vs acknowledge our faults: but yet for all that, the marke that wee must shoote at, must be the obeying of our God without exception,§10 so as we make no parting of stakes with him to say, Go to, as for in this thing, I am contented to yeelde to God, but hee must pardon me in that thing, and he must beare with me for the other matter. If we fall to such chaffaring with him, wee shall finde in the ende that our fond ouerweening hath beguiled vs.
And in any wise let us weigh well this saying, where he saith: that it is he himself that setteth forth the commandments of God. And thereby he §20bringeth us back to Gods word in such wise as it is preached, for he will not have us go seek in the air, nor yet above the clouds for the knowledge of his will. We must be contented with his coming down unto us, and with his speaking to us by the mouths of men. The rebellious sort have always said that their intent was to serve God: for it were too horrible a thing to be so blasphemous in words, as to say that they give over God and will be none of his. Therefore