A17698:3513
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.
Let us tremble therefore when we hear the threatenings of our God. For if the anger of an earthly king be the messenger of death (as Solomon saith,1) what ought we to think of the anger of God, when it is denounced against us? So then, let us learn to tame our selves with fear. When the tentations of Satan might prevail against us, and that our sins might be as baits to deceive us: let it come into our mind to say, What? Shall I under the pretence of some pleasure which will soon vanish, go and provoke the anger of my GOD, and so perish for ever? After that manner (I say) ought we to call Gods threatenings to our remembrance; and then to answer thereunto Amen, and say, yea Lord, it is even so, it is no children's game. When thou pronouncest condemnation upon the wicked; thou art ready to execute it: and when thou hast once pronounced the word with thy mouth, it is all one as if we saw the fire already kindled to consume us. After that manner (I say) ought we to receive all the threatenings which GOD denounceth against us. For that is the best means to teach us to observe the Law, I mean so far as our weakness will suffer. For (as I have told you) it is not possible for us to come to perfectness indeed, as long as we are enclosed in this flesh of ours: but yet nevertheless we may well dedicate our selves unto God, and be held in his fear, if on the one side his promises be in force with us, & again if on the other side we give ear unto his threatenings.
Let vs tremble therefore when wee heare the threateninges of our God. For if the anger of an earthly king bee the messenger of death (as Salomon saith,1) what ought wee to thinke of the anger of God, when it is denounced against vs? So then, let vs learne to tame our selues with feare. When the tentations of Satan might preuayle agaynst vs, and that our sinnes might bee as baytes to deceiue vs: let it come into our minde to say, What? Shal I vnder the pretence of some pleasure which will soone vanishe, goe and prouoke the anger of my GOD, and so perishe for euer? After that manner (I say) ought wee to call Gods threateninges to our remembraunce; and then to aunswere thereunto Amen, and say, yea Lorde, it is euen so, it is no childrens game. When thou pronouncest condemnation vppon the wicked; thou arte readie to execute it: and when thou hast once pronounced the worde with thy mouth, it is all one as if wee sawe the fire alreadie kindled to consume vs. After that manner (I say) ought we to receyue all the threateninges which GOD denounceth against vs. For that is ye best meanes to teach vs to obserue the Lawe, I meane so farre as our weakenesse will suffer. For (as I haue tolde you) it is not possible for vs to come to perfectnesse indeede, as long as wee are inclosed in this fleshe of ours: but yet neuerthelesse wee may wel dedicate our selues vnto God, and bee helde in his feare, if on the one side his promises bee in force with vs, & againe if on ye otherside we giue eare vnto his threatnings.