A17698:1884
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.
Now let us come to that which Moses saith concerning the curse. He saith that like as the law offereth us Gods favour, which is the blessing that tendeth to our welfare; so also we must not set light by the threatenings that are set-down there. For if we give deaf ear to Gods speaking, so as our harts rankle against it through stubbornness, or that we play the scoffers which turn all things to ⟨p. 484⟩laughter:1 let us bear this in mind, that howsoever the world go, Gods word shall either be our life or our death, there shall not so much as one word thereof fall to the ground. Such as benefit themselves by the things that are told them on gods behalf, shall find that the doctrine serveth to their salvation: And on the other side, the despisers thereof, & such as refuse to be taught by it, must yield an account thereof, and they shall feel that no one jot of it shall be lost, neither is to be despised.§10 For should the thing be undone & vanish away without effect, which passeth out of the mouth of God? No. And therefore let us mark well, that if men cannot find in their hearts to use Gods doctrine to their benefit when he sendeth it unto them; it shall turn to their everlasting death, & their damnation will be doubled, because they held scorn of the benefit that was proffered them. And this is very needful for us. For we see how men dally with Gods word; & they that cast it not §20quite & clean away, do think themselves to be more than half perfect; because they become not utter enemies to fight against it, they bear them selves in hand that God ought to hold himself contented with it. But think we that God will suffer so good a thing to perish? He offered us life, and we refused it: and doeth not such unkindness deserve horrible vengeance? Again, God setteth more store by his own honour, than by the salvation of our souls. And good reason it is that he should. Now §30he hath showed us after what manner he will be glorified by us, & we make no account of it but reject it utterly. And therefore let us consider well, that if we receive not the blessing of Gods word, that is to say, if it serve not to reconcile us to him, that we may take him for our father: we must (spite of our teeth) feel him our judge, & his word must condemn us. Whereas it should have ben a witness of his love towards us to bring us to salvation, & to the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven: