A17698:3463
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.
Therefore when he sayeth: You shall serve me by keeping my Statutes with all your heart and with all your soul: he speaketh not according to our ability: he knoweth full well, that we are not able to compass it, we are far wide from it: but yet for all that, we cease not to be bound unto him, and there is good right why he should require his due, although we are not able to perform it. For whence cometh the fault? Of the corruptness of our nature.§10 Seeing it is so then, let us conclude that GOD must not be barred of his right. And therefore although men can not wholly discharge themselves, yet GOD ceaseth not to say, You owe me this, and therefore do it. Now whereas the Law was in such sort given unto us, we are so far unable to perform it, that we know not how to have one good thought only to begin,1 much less have we any right affection to stir one finger to do it. That §20is no news: but we must mourn, knowing that we are altogether rebels unto GOD, and that there is nothing in our nature, which is not repugnant to his righteousness. Have we done so? Have we condemned our selves? Then let us pray him to aid us with his holy spirit. And moreover when he shall have aided us, let us know that if there be any thing wanting in our duty, yet shall it not come into account, but GOD will accept of the service §30which we yield unto him, so it proceed from a free and sincere mind, as I said afore. We see then that the thing which we have to gather upon this place, is, that GOD will be served, not by piece meal nor by force or constraint, but of a pure and freehearted devotion and with all our heart. Moreover let us note, that we cannot discharge our selves of all that which we owe him, and as in respect of our own nature, we can not any §40way begin. But whereas he hath published his Law by the mouth of men, and hath caused it to be set down in writing; he must also write it in our hearts, as he promiseth to do;2 both by Ezekiel and also Jeremiah. And it is a common doctrine (as we shall see hereafter) that he promised the Jews to circumcise their hearts. After that manner doeth GOD speak unto his elect, that is, that through his holy spirit, he imprinteth