A17698:2619
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.
First of all let us mark, that God meant not
First of all let vs marke, that God meant not
faithfully or no; we must compare the things that are clean contrary. We know that the true touchstone whereby to try the goodness of any doctrine, is the referring of all things unto faith,1 (as Saint Paul saith thereof,) and to the glorifying of God, that men be taught to put their whole trust in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to mislike of themselves and to be ashamed of their own doings, & to frame themselves to a true amendment. Thus is it a true trial of §10good doctrine, when we see the preacher endeavour that God may be purely honoured and served, and that the praise of all power, wisdom, and righteousness be yielded unto him. That doctrine is always good, and that is an infallible rule. When men are condemned in themselves; when they be showed that there is nothing but corruption in their nature, and that they be accursed of God; when they be so beaten down as they wot not what to do, but only to crave §20forgiveness like wretched sinners: that is a sure doctrine. For faith leadeth us thereunto, and compasseth it as a certain rule. Again, when sins are condemned by Gods law, and men are showed what true repentance is, to wit, a misliking of their sins & a desiring to be governed by Gods spirit, and to be altogether changed: that is a sure doctrine. Moreover, when men are told that they must flee to God for refuge, and call upon him only, and not §30be unthankful to him for his helping and succouring of them: the doctrine also is of the holy scripture, and men cannot fail in embracing of it. If it be said that the very use of the Sacraments is to lead us to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to assure us the better of the benefits which he bringeth us that we may be partakers of them and that God also putteth us in possession of them: that also is a trueth which ought not to be revoked nor doubted of. And hereof there is no disputing