A17698:2149
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.
To be short, that we may benefit ourselves by this lesson of Moseses; let us understand, first of all, that until God bridle us, our affection will ever be inordinate whether it be in mirth or in mourning. If we have prosperity, by and by it makes us to forget our selves what we be, so as we think not our selves to be mortal men. And we see how all men fall to flinging as it were in despite of God when they have their ease and §20delights. Likewise on the contrary part, if our Lord afflict us whether it be by the death of some kinsman or friend of ours, or by some other adversity: we be piteously forlorn, we cannot measure our grief, we be so overwhelmed with sorrow as is pitiful to behold, and finally our heart is full of bitterness and poison. We see how a number do spew out blasphemies against God. Let us consider all these vices in our selves, and seek the remedy §30of them as it is set us down here. Let us bear in mind (I say) that our Lord commandeth all of us to hold our selves as in captivity, that if our nature be faulty in that behalf, we should not nourish the evil, but withstand it as much as is possible. This cannot be done except we use force in subduing our selves to the obeying of God, and even strain our selves to the uttermost. And one of the chiefest sacrifices that God requireth of us and whereof he liketh best,1 §40is that we consider that we must not sorrow out of measure, when we be afflicted, but fly unto God praying him to give us the grace to submit ourselves wholly to his will: so as if the husband be bereft of his wife, he may bear it patiently. And why? Because he knoweth it is Gods will to try his obedience in that behalf. Let the wife do the like by her husband, and let every body submit themselves to this order of Gods, that we may be able to say, that like as §50he hath set us in the world, so also it is good reason that he should take us hence again, not at our pleasure but at his. For it is not without cause that he hath limited the race of our life, & that it pleaseth him to take away one rather than an other.2 We be mortal before we come into this world: for a young babe may die as well in his mothers womb as after here is borne. Sith it is so;