A17698:291
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.
The Papists imagine, that they can help themselves and further themselves to repentance by their own freewill. Lo what their overweening is. But let us understand that it is a singular working of the holy ghost, when it pleaseth him to lead us to repentance. For what else is it than a renewing of the man? Is it in any mans power to create himself? No: but God fashioneth us new again, and therefore that praise is to be given unto him. Again, our wits are utterly dulled or rather stark blind. God must be fain to enlighten them. And is that in our power? Whereas there is nothing but corruption in our hearts: whereas there is nothing but secrete rebelliousness and malice: God must be fain to rid and cleanse away every whit of it.
The Papistes imagine, that they can helpe themselues and further themselues to repentance by their owne freewill. Loe what their ouerweening is. But let vs vnderstand that it is a singular woorking of the holy ghost, when it pleaseth him to leade vs to repentance. For what else is it than a renewing of the man? Is it in any mans power to create himselfe? No: but God fashioneth vs newe againe, and therefore that prayse is to be giuen vnto him. Againe, our wittes are vtterly dulled or rather starke blinde. God must bee faine to inlighten them. And is that in our power? Whereas there is nothing but corruption in our hartes: whereas there is nothing but secrete rebelliousnesse and malice: God must be faine to rid and clense away euery whit of it.
And therefore let us mark well that there was no repentance in this people, although they were touched before. It might well be a sign that God had compassion of them: but true repentance requireth not only an acknowledgement of our faults, but also that we should be sorry for them, and that upon the feeling of our own evil, we should go unto GOD, referring our selves wholly unto him, and seeking nothing but to be governed thenceforth by him, forasmuch as we have nothing but frowardness in our selves. But the people were not yet come to this point: and so we see they were not ripe to repentance. And as touching their weeping, true it is that they had some feeling and understanding: but that was not enough yet.