A17698:239
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.
Let us mark well then, that to enjoy Gods §40benefits, we must frame our selves to his will and righteousness: for our naughtiness and Gods goodness can never match together, insomuch that if we will needs follow our own nature, God must needs withdraw his goodness away from us. True it is that God looketh not for any worthiness at our hands why he should do us good: nay rather, he fighteth daily against our sins, and useth mercy where as he might lawfully use rigour against §50us. But yet for all that, if he see that we continue in our naughtiness, he can no longer continue in doing us good. Ye see then that the doctrine which we have to gather upon this consideration: is that there must be as it were an accord and melody between God and us, and that when he imparteth his benefits unto us, we must make such estimation of them, as we endeavour to serve and honour him for them, and consider that he calleth us to him, to pluck us §60back from our sins. If we do so, the good that he hath done us shall be confirmed more & more. Otherwise, it must needs be that our naughtiness shall cut off the course of his goodness. Why so? For (as I have said already) when God offereth men his benefits, & they refuse them of a wilful frowardness: it is as if fire and water should meet together.
Let vs marke well then, that to inioy Gods §40benefites, wee must frame our selues to his will and righteousnesse: for our naughtinesse and Gods goodnesse can neuer match together, insomuch that if wee will needes followe our owne nature, God must needes withdrawe his goodnesse away from vs. True it is that God looketh not for any worthinesse at our hands why hee shoulde doe vs good: nay rather, hee fighteth dayly against our sinnes, and vseth mercie where as hee might lawfully vse rigour against §50vs. But yet for all that, if hee see that we continue in our naughtinesse, hee can no longer continue in doing vs good. Yee see then that the doctrine which we haue to gather vppon this consideration: is that there must bee as it were an accorde and melodie betweene God and vs, and that when hee imparteth his benefites vnto vs, we must make such estimation of them, as wee indeuer to serue and honour him for them, and consider that he calleth vs to him, to plucke vs