A17698:2094
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 then, to the intent we may benefit our selves by this text, let us mark first of all what love we ought to bear to our Lord God, when he hath uttered himself unto us. Namely that we must beware that in any wise he may be served without gainsaying, and that the rule which he hath given us be unbroken, and that nothing be changed in his word, but that we make much more account of the doctrine which we have received of him, than of our lives. And therefore let us not be plucked back from the said zeal for any worldly respect as we see the world is, which favoureth more his own fleshly affections than God. But howsoever the case stand, yet must we fight against all impediments and distresses, until the said zeal do get the upper hand in us, so as we will rather cause them to dye which seek the defacing of the true Religion, than suffer such a plague to prevail in the Church, to the infecting and marring of our selves or of any others.
Nowe then, to the intent wee may benefite our selues by this text, let vs marke first of all what loue wee ought to beare to our Lord God, when hee hath vttered himselfe vnto vs. Namely that wee must beware that in any wise hee may bee serued without gainsaying, and that the rule which hee hath giuen vs bee vnbroken, and that nothing bee chaunged in his worde, but that we make much more account of the doctrine which wee haue receiued of him, than of our liues. And therefore let vs not bee plucked backe from the saide zeale for any worldly respect as wee see the worlde is, which fauoureth more his owne fleshly affections than God. But howsoeuer the case stande, yet must wee fight against all impedimentes and distresses, vntill the saide zeale doe get the vpper hande in vs, so as wee will rather cause them to dye which seeke the defacing of the true Religion, than suffer such a plague to preuaile in the Church, to the infecting and marring of our selues or of any others.
And hereof we may gather a good exhortation; which is, that when we see Gods honour impaired any manner of way, it must grieve us at the heart, according to the generally saying of the Psalm,1