A17698:1999
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 now let us apply this doctrine to our own use. I have told you already, that first and foremost it behooveth us always to bridle ourselves, assuring ourselves that nothing is permitted us which breedeth offence. And why? Because God bindeth us one to another. But yet for all that, we have our consciences at liberty, so as ⟨p. 517⟩we know that the things are free to us, which were not permitted to the fathers of old time. Now then ought not this to move us the more to serve God, which showeth himself so freehearted towards us? For if we were under the bondage of the Law; we ought to abstain from manslaughter, seeing that the blood of beasts were forbidden us, which at this day is permitted unto us. And therefore let us beware we abuse not such goodness of our God: but rather the §10more that he granteth us, the more let every of us bethink him to hold himself in his obedience & subjection, that we play not the loose Colts as the proverb saith. That is the effect of the things which we have to note upon this text.
And nowe let vs applie this doctrine to our owne vse. I haue told you alreadie, that first and foremost it behooueth vs alwayes to brydle ourselues, assuring ourselues that nothing is permitted vs which breedeth offence. And why? Because God bindeth vs one to another. But yet for al yt, we haue our consciences at liberty, so as ⟨p. 517⟩wee knowe that the thinges are free to vs, which were not permitted to the fathers of olde time. Nowe then ought not this to moue vs the more to serue God, which sheweth himself so freeharted towardes vs? For if we were vnder the bondage of the Lawe; wee ought to abstaine from manslaughter, seeing that the bloude of beastes were forbidden vs, which at this day is permitted vnto vs. And therefore let vs beware wee abuse not such goodnesse of our God: but rather the §10more that hee graunteth vs, the more let euerie of vs bethinke him to holde himselfe in his obedience & subiection, that we play not the loose Colts as the prouerbe saith. That is the effect of the thinges which wee haue to note vppon this text.