A17698:2420
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 now to hold men the better in awe, Moses addeth Gods promise, as if he should say, that we must not be wedded to our own profit, when God on the other side offereth us his blessing, & telleth us that he will prosper us, so we stick unto him. And whether were it better for us, to enrich §60our selves by unlawful means which God condemneth, and which shall come to an evil end: or to have Gods favour present with us, and that the same should never fail us? Thus we see now to what purpose Moses addeth this sentence, That men should follow uprightness. Verily even to the intent they may enjoy Gods favour, & that thou mayest possess the land (saith he) which the Lord thy GOD giveth thee, and that thou mayest live long therein. This is a continuing of the same matter still, which I have declared before: namely that whereas God might command us in one word; yet notwithstanding to win us to him, he is so gentle that he bindeth himself to us, and maketh a covenant with us as it were between two parties. He hath authority enough to command us, and it is not for us to ask wherefore. Again, he is not bound to promise us any thing: for we owe him all that we have, and he is indebted to none of us. Nevertheless he vouchsafeth to yield to our infirmity, accordingly as we have seen heretofore, that after his requesting of that which is our duty, he addeth that we shall not be disappointed in serving of him. Yet must we not conclude thereupon, that we can deserve aught at his hand: but rather we see his infinite goodness, in that he promiseth us his favour freely after that fashion. And therefore we ought to be the forwarder in doing whatsoever he commandeth, notwithstanding any impediment that might hinder us to pluck us back. Unexcusable are we in these days, if we feel not some force of his promises, in quickening & stirring of us up to obey him. Hath God commanded it? That ought to suffice us. Notwithstanding, because we be slow and negligent, he addeth this help, that he cometh to win us by gentleness, as if a father should flatter his child. See we this? Must it not needs be that our hearts are too too much ⟨p. 627⟩hardened▪ if they relent not at such goodness? Therefore when we feel that Gods commandments touch us not sufficiently to the quick:
And now to hold men the better in awe, Moses addeth Gods promise, as if he should say, that we must not be wedded to our owne profit, whē God on the otherside offereth vs his blessing, & telleth vs that he will prosper vs, so we stick vnto him. And whether were it better for vs, to inrich