A17698:3567
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.
What a thing were it, that the son of GOD should be cursed without cause; and yet no fruit redound thereof to us? That he which is the fountain of all blessedness, should be accursed; and yet we not know wherefore, but that it should be unprofitable? Now then seeing that the curse which Jesus Christ suffered in his own person, is not vain and to no purpose: let us know that by the same mean we be delivered before GOD. And so ye see how we ought to make those two texts to agree.
What a thing were it, that the sonne of GOD should bee cursed without cause; and yet no fruite redounde thereof to vs? That hee which is the fountaine of all blessednesse, should bee accursed; and yet wee not knowe wherefore, but that it should bee vnprofitable? Nowe then seeing that the curse which Iefus Christ suffered in his owne person, is not vaine and to no purpose: let vs knowe that by the same meane wee bee deliuered before GOD. And so yee see howe wee ought to make those two textes to agree.
Furthermore we know also that he became subject to the Law,1 to the intent to perform all manner of obedience to the full, as it were in our person. And the righteousness which he hath gotten in himself, is at this day allowed unto us, as if every of us had discharged our selves towards God. The way then for us to be delivered from our cursedness, is •his: After we have been ashamed and as it were plunged in despair; we may take heart again to us to be assured of our salvation, and offer our selves before the Majesty of our God, with assured trust that he will accept us for his children, and also like well of us: and moreover that seeing our Lord Jesus Christ hath fulfilled the Law, and not failed in any one point or jot thereof: now we be clothed again with his righteousness, and the same is allowed unto us as our own. And therefore let us go boldly before God, and call upon him as our father: yea verily, so we put not our pureness in our own works, nor imagine that GOD oweth us any thing, nor pretend to bring any desert or merit of our own: but that being utterly empty, we call upon GOD to vouchsafe, not only to fill up that which wanteth in our selves in part, by the means of our Lord Jesus Christ: but to give us the righteousness whereof we be utterly destitute and unpurveyed. And let us mark further, that when we be once so received into favour; then shall our works also be accepted. The way then for us to serve God to his liking, is that being justified by faith, that is to say, that having obtained forgiveness of our sins, yea and having obtained it because that daily yea and all the time of our life we have need thereof: and also having recourse to GODS atonement with us of his own free goodness by means of the death, passion, and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ offered up unto him: we having so done, be then also desirous to serve God; for then shall we do well, and then will he accept the service which we yield unto him; whereas without that, we can have no faith in Jesus Christ. But when we endeavour to serve GOD; although there be somewhat amiss, and our affections turn us now one way now another: yet doeth not our God cease to allow our life. And why? Because our sins are not imputed unto us.