A17698:3306
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.
Now we are likewise warned in general, to acknowledge the miseries wherein we were when God reached out his hand unto us, to the intent we may be so much the more fervent to serve and honour him, and to yield our selves wholly unto his obedience. And that extendeth very far: for in general when God meaneth to press us more nearly to discharge our duties towards him, and that every one should dedicate him self wholly unto his service; he putteth us in mind that he hath drawn us from out of the deepest dungeon of death, and that we were sometimes the bondslaves of Satan, that we were held fast bound under eternal damnation, & (to be short) that we were as good as plunged in hell. Lo what inheritance we have by our birth, until GOD cast his eye upon us, and of his mercy draw us out of the horrible confusion wherein we are and which we bring with us.
Nowe wee are likewise warned in generall, to acknowledge the miseries wherein wee were when God reached out his hande vnto vs, to the intent wee may bee so much the more feruent to serue and honour him, and to yeeld our selues wholly vnto his obedience. And that extendeth verie farre: for in generall when God meaneth to presse vs more neerely to discharge our dueties towardes him, and that euery one shoulde dedicate him selfe wholy vnto his seruice; hee putteth vs in minde that hee hath drawen vs from out of the deepest dungeon of death, and that wee were sometimes the bondslaues of Satan, that wee were helde fast bounde vnder eternall damnation, & (to be short) that we were as good as plunged in hell. Loe what inheritaunce wee haue by our birth, vntill GOD cast his eye vppon vs, and of his mercie drawe vs out of the horrible confusion wherein wee are and which wee bring with vs.
But now let us look unto our first birth of all: Our Lord created us after his own image and likeness. It is true: but that was wholly defaced and wiped out in us by the sin of Adam: we are accursed, we are by nature shut out from all hope of life: but behold our God hath redeemed us by the blood of his son, & hath opened unto us the gate of heaven. Howe much therefore are we bound unto him, if we consider our first estate, and what we were before