A17698:1917
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.
The first reason then is, that such as will §20needs serve GOD after their own fancy, do always go into such a dungeon as they can never get out of again, and they fall continually from one superstition to an other. Mark that for one point. And on the other side we see how greatly it will be to our condemnation, that we can not find in our hearts to dedicate our lives unto GOD, seeing that the idolaters are so carried away by their foolish fancies, that they have never done with §30them, nor can never think themselves superstitious enough. Therefore if we for our part seek not to keep ourselves in obedience to our GOD, what will become of us? For God hath laid such a yoke upon our necks, as is gentle enough.1 He hath an eye to our infirmity, he giveth us such strength as he knoweth to be meet for us, he beareth with us as gently as may be. And yet for all this, he can not compass us, we be so nice as is pity to §40see. We fall to complaining and say; Alas, GOD pincheth us too sore. And if we do him but half service, yea or but the hundred part of our duty, we think he ought to hold himself contented with it: whereas in the mean while the idolaters do martyr themselves out of measure, they endure after a sort the pains of damned souls, and they are ever ready to increase their superstitions.
The first reason then is, that such as will §20needes serue GOD after their owne fancie, doe alwayes goe into such a dungeon as they can neuer gette out of againe, and they fall continually from one superstition to an other. Marke that for one point. And on the other side we see howe greatly it will bee to our condemnation, that we can not finde in our heartes to dedicate our liues vnto GOD, seeing that the ydolaters are so carried away by their foolishe fancies, that they haue neuer doone with §30them, nor can neuer thinke themselues superstitious ynough. Therefore if we for our parte seeke not to keepe ourselues in obedience to our GOD, what will become of vs? For God hath layde such a yoke vpon our neckes, as is gentle ynough.1