A17698:279
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.
But howsoever the case stand, let us bear this lesson in mind, that GOD, if we desire to be his, doeth bind us by his infinite goodness to be guided by him: and that as we would be shielded by his mighty power, so likewise we must quietly suffer him to rule us as his lambs and sheep, and not follow every man his own fancy. And if this ought to be observed in the things that concern this present life: how much more ought it to be so in going §40to the kingdom of heaven? I say that even in all our worldly affairs, we ought to do God so much honour, as not to take too much upon us, nor to range here and there, without having first asked counsel at his mouth, (as he sayeth by his Prophet Isaiah,1) and until he have ordered all our devises by his holy spirit. When we have any business to do, although it be not of any great importance: yet ought we to call upon God with all lowliness, and not to do any thing §50till our conscience be throughly settled and resolved that he alloweth our doings. Now if God look to be obeyed in small things, & which are as good as nothing: what will he do when the matter concerneth his service? and when the case concerneth so excellent a thing as is the salvation of our souls? Therefore we see herein, how sore the wretched world is blinded, seeing they give themselves to their own follies & to mens traditions, and think not at all upon the things §60that God hath ordained: No: that shall be the last thing that they will do. And therefore it standeth us so much the more on hand to study well this lesson of Moses, That God will not be with us, except we come near unto him, and be diligent to hearken what he will say unto us, & follow it when we have done, without adding any thing to it, or diminishing any thing from it. And thus ye see in effect, what we have to gather upon this strain.
But howsoeuer the case stande, let vs beare this lesson in minde, that GOD, if wee desire to bee his, doeth binde vs by his infinite goodnesse to be guided by him: and that as we would bee shielded by his mightie power, so likewise wee must quietly suffer him to rule vs as his lambes and sheepe, and not followe euery man his owne fansie. And if this ought to bee obserued in the thinges that concerne this present life: howe much more ought it to be so in going