A17698:1819
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.
Hereby Moses declareth that God for his part is faithful, and that when he hath once spoken the word, we may well assure our selves of it. But forasmuch as we drag our legs after us, and although he allure us to him so gently,§40 and draw towards us of his own accord: yet are we lazy & slow in coming unto him: we have need to be strengthened. That is the very end that all the promises of the law do tend unto. It is not meant that God should bind himself unto us as our debtor: it is not for that he looketh whether we have deserved any thing at all or no: neither is it of purpose to bargain or indent with us, as though he should take up hackneys §50among us to serve his turn withal, by constraint: but forasmuch as he sees we be feeble, and have not so resolute a mind as were requisite, but are entangled in this world, and held back with a number of vanities, and wicked affections, and (to be short) are not so lively as to yield our selves unto his obedience: his purpose is to strengthen us, and to help us. He seeth our default, and he remedieth it. Be strong therefore. And how? Even by considering thus with §60your selves: Go to, Our Lord might command us peremptorily at one word: for he hath full sovereignty over us, and we be his by nature. And when we have all of us strained our selves to the uttermost of our power, yet can we not do as we ought to do. Yet notwithstanding, he will not be served at our hands without recompense, but he saith that if we do but a piece of that which is due to him, he bindeth himself to us for it. Sith we see this, are we not too lewd if we be not touched to the quick, & amend not all slothfulness, to go forth unto God lustily without stopping for any worldly impediment or hinderance? That is the strength which Moses speaks of here.
Hereby Moses declareth that God for his parte is faithfull, and that when hee hath once spoken the worde, we may well assure our selues of it. But forasmuch as we drag our legges after vs, and although he allure vs to him so gently,§40 and draw towards vs of his owne accord: yet are we lazie & slow in comming vnto him: we haue need to be strengthened. That is the very end yt al ye promises of the lawe do tend vnto. It is not meant that God should binde himselfe vnto vs as our detter: it is not for that he looketh whether wee haue deserued any thing at all or no: neither is it of purpose to bargaine or indent with vs, as though he should take vp hackeneies