A17698:3168
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.
So then it is a point worthy to be observed, when our Lord showeth that he will not lay any great bond or bondage upon his, but leaveth them their choice whether they will vow or no. But yet for all that, his will is that vows should be performed if they be lawful:§20 For he showeth what is required in them. Will we know whether God like of the vow which we make? We must in the first place consider whether it be agreeable unto his will or no; and secondly whether that which we vow be in out power; and thirdly whether that our intent and meaning be upright and ordered by a good rule. If all these things meet together, Gods will is that we should discharge ourselves unto him.
So then it is a point worthie to bee obserued, when our Lorde sheweth that hee will not lay any great bonde or bondage vppon his, but leaueth them their choyce whether they will vowe or no. But yet for all that, his will is that vowes shoulde bee performed if they bee lawefull:§20 For hee sheweth what is required in them. Will wee knowe whether God like of the vowe which wee make? Wee must in the first place consider whether it bee agreeable vnto his will or no; and secondly whether that which wee vowe bee in out power; and thirdlie whether that our intent and meaning bee vpright and ordered by a good rule. If all these things meete together, Gods will is that we should discharge ourselues vnto him.
Now if we consider well of things, we shall find that we have a general vow for our whole life, seeing we are called of God to come and offer our selves unto him in sacrifice. Therefore if a man know what the end of his calling is, he would certainly be persuaded that he ought to vow himself unto God. For he receiveth us, he entertaineth us, he adopteth us for his children, on this condition that we should serve him in innocency of §40saving. Seeing he taketh us on such condition, […] one of us must be prepared to offer up himself unto him. Now I grant indeed that we cannot do it except we be sanctified by his holy spirit, and the faithful when they present themselves unto God, do it not in any confidence of their own power, they do it not to attempt any thing of themselves or upon imagination to attain thereby unto any perfectness, but they do it, grounding them