A17698:1849
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.
And yet is not all that we have to do, neither doth God think it enough that every man should §40endeavour to profit himself by it: but he will also have the fathers to teach their children. Wherein he showeth that (as I have said afore) it is not enough for us to serve our God during our own lives; but we must also provide that the seed of religion may remain after our decease. For we be transitory, & our life is but a shadow: & therefore inasmuch as Gods trueth is immortal, it is good reason that it should continue for ever, & that it should be preserved from hand to hand, & that §50men should put their endeavour thereunto. And specially when God hath given them children, it behoveth them to know that it is a treasure, and that they must yield an account thereof. For it is no small honour that God doth to men & women, when he giveth them children. They be creatures fashioned after the image of God, & we term them the seed of the Church. Now then seeing that God committeth them to our charge; it is good reason that we should endeavour to bring them up in such wise §60as God may be served by them, that when religion shall have continued her course all our life long, it may also hold out and continue still even after our death. But here we see our own negligence, or rather our lewdness. For we be not only slothful; but we see how the most part of us do shun & eschew (as much as we can) to be trained in Gods word. If men be spoken to of it, it is a corsie to them, & if they perceive that there shall be talk of any good doctrine, they have no regard to come there. It is well seen that a number are worse than the Turks, & are so bewitched with their own fond opinions, that as soon as the bell tolleth to call & provoke us to come daily to the hearing of Gods word, they go another way. And for proof thereof, what a number are there which withdraw themselves from it as much as they can? Yea & when they come, they stop their ears wilfully, because they be occupied about their wicked affections, and the devil hath so besotted them, as they find not any savour at all in any word that is spoken unto them, but are weary of it as soon as there is any matter spoken concerning God.
And yet is not all yt wee haue to doe, neither doth God thinke it enough yt euery man shoulde §40indeuer to profite himselfe by it: but he will also haue the fathers to teach their children. Wherin he sheweth yt (as I haue sayd afore) it is not enough for vs to serue our God during our owne liues; but we must also prouide yt the seede of religion may remaine after our decease. For we be transitorie, & our lyfe is but a shadow: & therefore inasmuch as Gods trueth is immortall, it is good reason yt it should continue for euer, & that it should be preserued frō hand to hand, & that