A17698:2152
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 Moses speaking here expressly of God his election or choice whereby he had chosen the Jews, addeth That they must be a holy people. For God gathereth not the offscourings of the world to keep them in his Church; his intent is not to have his Church to be as it were a Swine sty, so as there should be nothing but filth and infection; but he purgeth us from all uncleanness. Now then whereas God calleth us unto him, it is with condition that we should worship and serve him in all pureness. True it is that he findeth us as it were drowned in the depth of all lewdness, so as by nature we have nothing but utter uncleanness, and we be altogether so defiled that we be even loathsome to him: but yet doeth he purge us and make us clean by his holy spirit, and it behooveth us to lead a holy conversation all the time of our life. And so ye see how he would that men should ratify their free election,1 as Saint Peter speaketh of it. And that is a thing which we have to mark in this saying of Moses: whereupon we have to conclude that it is not lawful for us to take example at the unbelievers ⟨p. 555⟩and such as have not been brought up in Gods school. And it is a very necessary doctrine for us, considering how we ever shroud ourselves under the causes of offence which we see: & if any body give us an evil example, we bear our selves in hand that we be excused before GOD, and that such a person is a shelter to us. But contrariwise Moses telleth us here, that we must be a people sanctified unto GOD, so as if the wretched unbelievers do play the unthrifts.§10 we must not marvel at it. When we see a silly blind soul stumble or stray out of his way, we pity him because he is in darkness, but we think it no strange thing. Even so is it with those that never knew the trueth of GOD: they be silly blind souls that go in darkness. But GOD enlighteneth us, and showeth us the way of salvation. If we rush against things, or if we wander out of the way; whence cometh the fault? Are not we our §20selves to be blamed for it? Yes, and therefore let us ever bear in mind the greatness of the grace which we have received of GOD, that it perish not through our own lewdness and negligence. And above all things, let us take heed to that which is spoken here concerning the moderating of our sorrow & heaviness.