A17698:200
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.
Well may men coakes themselves for a time, and bear themselves on hand that all the world favoureth them: but in the end, God will make all their enterprises to vanish away, so as they shall be all confounded. And why? Because they ran gadding about, and kept not the right way. Now then, if we will be guided by Gods hand, and succoured by him at our need: let us learn to rule our life aright, and to submit it wholly unto him. If we be not at that point, let us not look for any help at his hand: but rather to have him against us as we be worthy. Thus much concerning the first point.
Wel may men coakes themselues for a time, and beare themselues on hand that all the world fauoreth them: but in the end, God will make all their enterprises to vanish away, so as they shallbe all confounded. And why? Because they ranne gadding about, and kept not the right way. Now then, if we will be guided by Gods hand, and succored by him at our neede: let vs learne to rule our lyfe aright, and to submit it wholy vnto him. If wee be not at that poynt, let vs not looke for any helpe at his hand: but rather to haue him against vs as we bee worthie. Thus much concerning the first point.
But yet for all this, the matter lieth not altogether in being desirous to serve God, & to abstain from the foolish attempts that carry men away. ⟨p. 38⟩For there may be some that are pliable enough, & which would fain do the things that God commandeth: but therewithal they be puffed up with a fond self weening, bearing themselves in hand that they be able to compass the things that they have to do, and trusting to their own reason. But our Lord cannot abide to be robbed of the honour that belongeth unto him. For what have we whereof it is lawful for us to boast? When we have gathered all our powers unto us,§10 we shall find them to be nothing but a vain and fond show. And therefore we must be fain to put to the second point which I have touched. Which is, that here we be warned to submit our selves to the obedience of God, so as we seek the things that he giveth us leave to seek, & ask counsel at his mouth what things he liketh and alloweth: to the intent that knowing our selves to be overweak, yea and that there is no wisdom, strength, nor towardness