A17698:2396
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 as this thing deserveth to be had in great estimation: so ought they that have obtained such benefit, to use it with a good and pure conscience. For what is the cause that our Lord bereaveth us of his benefits, but that we mar them by our abusing of them? We know well that whatsoever God bestoweth upon us is desirable, for we see the commodity thereof: but yet in stead of using of it holily with thanksgiving, we will needs make it to serve our lusts. Now when §50God seeth his benefits turned so to our bane, & that we draw them clean contrary to his meaning: he bereaveth us of them. Are we destitute of them? We see whereof it cometh: And we think it strange: but we consider not how God hath borne with us a long time, and that in the end he will not have his gifts to be scorned & reproached. Therefore whensoever God hath done us any good, let us learn to maintain the same by our good & pure using thereof. For the next way §60to make the possession thereof to abide with us, is to beware that we defile not the things which God hath sanctified to our profit. And therefore if we have liberty to choose Judges & Magistrates: forasmuch as it is an excellent prerogative (as I said afore:) let it be maintained and used with good conscience. When a people hath this prerogative, let them look well to the setting up of their Judges, that they may be as the Lieutenants of God. Wherefore let no such men be put in place, as will either be bribed, or have bin lewdly given aforetimes, or as are unable to bear such a charge: But let such be sought and found out as are meet for it, as though they were marked out by God. And because we have not sufficient discretion to choose aright: let God be called upon. For it is not enough to seek out such as are meet and sufficient to execute an Office; but for as much as we may be beguiled in that case, by reason of our own weakness, and by reason of the deep dissimulation that is in men, in so much that when never so narrow search hath been made, yet the evil will ever set it self forward: let men desire GOD to overlook them, and to give them wisdom and discretion. Thus ye see what we have to mark upon this saying, where commandment is given to choose and ordain Judges and Magistrates.
Now as this thing deserueth to be had in great estimation: so ought they that haue obtained such benefite, to vse it with a good and pure conscience. For what is the cause that our Lord bereaueth vs of his benefites, but that we marre them by our abusing of them? We know wel that whatsoeuer God bestoweth vpon vs is desirable, for we see ye commoditie therof: but yet in stead of vsing of it holily with thanksgiuing, wee will needes make it to serue our lustes. Nowe when