A17698:1896
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 mark that by that means god meant to touch the people nearer to the quick, by their agreeing to such a covenant. And the same belongeth unto us. For although we have not the same ceremony that was observed at that time, yet have we the trueth howsoever the world go: & whensoever Gods word is preached unto us, although we receive it not, yet shall it not fall to the ground, but it shall light upon our heads spite of our teeth, & it shall be an intolerable burden to sink us down to the bottom of hell. Therefore when we receive gods ⟨p. 487⟩word into our harts, let beware that we like well of it & that we ratify the promise of our salvation which he maketh us. Now he adopteth us to be his children; and if we be his children we be also his heirs. Therefore when we embrace the preached word by faith & obedience, although our mouth speak not a word, yet do we confirm Gods truth to our salvation, according to this saying of S. Johns, that as many as believe in the only son of God,1 have set to their seals that God is §10true. Thus ye see how the full measure of our salvation and of the promise is accomplished & hath his full effect & power, when we on our side do answer rightly Amen. And although it be not spoken with the mouth, yet let the heart say it for it is the chief point. True it is that if there be faith in the heart, the mouth must needs agree unto it also; according to this saying of the Psalm,2 I did believe, and therefore will I speak, which saying, is alleged likewise by S. Paul to §20the Corinthians. But my speaking at this time is of the ceremony; namely that although we have not a mount Garizim & a mount Heball among us; although we assemble not together into one company, to sever our selves into two hosts, and although there be not a visible Ark among us; yet is Gods once declaring thereof enough for us, & his once setting down of a memorial thereof before us is sufficient for us, to make us know that the same belongeth to us at this day, & that the preaching §30of the Gospel unto us in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, is all one as if we confirmed God to be our father by our saying Amen. That is the very mean whereby we be received to be his children, & whereby we be assured of the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.