A17698:3429
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 much the more then ought we to take heed unto our selves, knowing, that if the Jews were dull upon the spur, and discharged not their duty in the things that were commanded them, the same vice also reigneth in us: and therefore for this cause §10we had need to be quickened up. And let us not think that the exhortations which men give us every day, be superfluous. When we have heard a thing an hundred times, yet are we as scholars still. God therefore must be fain to begin again with us, and sometimes do as he saith by his Prophet Isaiah,1 and say A, A: B, B: for so doth he speak, and telleth us that we are like a child that is hardwitted & dull to learn. For a man must tell him A, A: and when he seemeth §20to have learned it, it is by and by forgotten. Then comes he to B, B: and yet for all that he is still new to begin. Even so is it with us: & that is the thing whereof God complaineth and saith: What? I have plied this people as a man would ply little children; and yet for all my teaching of them, they be still in their principles, they remain still in their A, B, C: And what a shame is that? That is the thing which we have to note, to the end that every one of us do pray §30to be so guided by the spirit of God, as we may be the more apt to be taught, and more quick and ready to bear in mind that which he hath said, and to receive his word in such humbleness as we ought. And moreover if we yet feel such weakness in us, that God must be fain to speak again, and return the second and third time, when he hath taught us once already: let us thereby consider and confess his goodness towards us, for bearing with us: and let §40us take heed, that when he hath spoken once or twice, we show at leastwise, that he hath not lost all his pains, nor bestowed it unprofitably.
So much the more then ought wee to take heede vnto our selues, knowing, that if the Iewes were dull vpon the spurre, and discharged not their dutie in the thinges that were commaunded them, the same vice also reigneth in vs: and therefore for this cause §10wee had neede to bee quickened vp. And let vs not think that the exhortations which men giue vs euery day, be superfluous. When wee haue heard a thing an hundred times, yet are wee as scholers still. God therefore must be faine to beginne againe with vs, and sometimes doe as he sayth by his Prophet Esay,