A17698:254
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.
True it is that we have the law, whereby we may assuredly say, this is good and that is evil: and our yielding unto that which is showed us there, is not to make us judges: for we take no authority to our selves, but only yield to the things that God setteth forth, And besides this, we must not only judge our neighbours doings by the law, but also examine our own lives by it. And when we find our selves to have swerved from Gods commandments, we must willingly condemn our selves, and allow no further of our own doings, than they agree with Gods will. Although they seem good to our selves, yet let us not stand upon that. For our eyes are so troubled and weak, that oftentimes one sin escapeth us and a hundred follow out after it: and that is because we be not sharp-sighted enough, to spy out the things that God perceiveth, and which are hid from us.1 And that is the cause why saint Paul sayeth, that although he had walked purely in his office: yet was he not justified for all that. For God requireth another manner of perfection than we can see. So then, seeing we have so weak and dim a sight, let us learn to refer our selves unto God: and let every of us put that thing in ure in himself,2 which is showed us by David when he saith, Who is he that knoweth his faults? Lord forgive me the evil which I perceive not. We must not only ask God forgiveness of the sins that sting us, and whereof we have proof in our selves: but we must also acknowledge that we have many sins which we know not of. Mark that for one point.
True it is that wee haue the lawe, whereby wee may assuredly say, this is good and that is euill: and our yeelding vnto that which is shewed vs there, is not to make vs iudges: for wee take no authoritie to our selues, but onely yelde to ye things that God setteth forth, And besides this, wee must not onely iudge our neighbours doings by the lawe, but also examine our owne liues by it. And when wee finde our selues to haue swarued from Gods commaundementes, we must willingly condemne our selues, and allowe no further of our owne doings, than they agree with Gods will. Although they seeme good to our selues, yet let vs not stande vppon that. For our eyes are so troubled and weake, that oftentimes one sinne escapeth vs and a hundred followe out after it: and that is because we be not sharpesighted ynough, to spie out the thinges that God perceiueth, and which are hid from vs.