A17698:2151
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 moreover as well in this as in all other things, let us take heed to that which is told here to the Jews by Moses: namely that when God is so gracious as to dedicate us to him self, and to gather us together to be his people, we must give our selves so much the more earnestly unto him. True it is that in respect of nature we differ nothing at all from the silly ignorant & unbelievers. For our being of Christs Church befalleth us not by the right of inheritance. Indeed the promise extendeth to a thousand generations: but yet for all that, it is of his free goodness, that we have the prerogative to be of his house. Sith it is so, let us acknowledge the honour that he doeth us, in separating us from the heathen and unbelievers though we were forlorn and damned as well as they; and let us benefit ourselves by that grace, that it perish not through our own wickedness. Thus ye see for what purpose Moses said, Thou art a people schooled out to thy God; have a care to maintain thy self in thy calling: acknowledge the good that is done unto thee, & go not about to bereave thy self wilfully of such favour. Let us think upon it (say I,) and that in such sort as God may be glorified in us, accordingly as he hath vouchsafed to call us.
And moreouer as well in this as in all other thinges, let vs take heede to that which is tolde here to the Iewes by Moses: namely that when God is so gratious as to dedicate vs to him selfe, and to gather vs together to bee his people, we must giue our selues so much the more earnestly vnto him. True it is that in respect of nature we differ nothing at all from the sillie ignorant & vnbeleeuers. For our being of Christs Church befalleth vs not by the right of inheritaunce. Indeede the promise extendeth to a thousande generations: but yet for all that, it is of his freegoodnesse, that we haue the prerogatiue to bee of his house. Sith it is so, let vs acknowledge the honour that he doeth vs, in separating vs from the heathen and vnbeleeuers though we were forlorne and damned as wel as they; and let vs benefite ourselues by that grace, that it perishe not through our owne wickednesse. Thus ye see for what purpose Moses said, Thou art a people shooled out to thy God; haue a care to maintaine thy selfe in thy calling: acknowledge the good that is doone vnto thee, & goe not about to bereaue thy selfe wilfully of such fauour. Let vs thinke vppon it (say I,) and that in such sort as God may be glorified in vs, accordingly as hee hath vouchsafed to call vs.