A17698:3575
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.
WE have seen heretofore, how God §20hath covenanted with his people, of purpose to bind them: that every one should know his duty, and be the §30better disposed to do the same. Now he speaketh as a Judge having all authority. It skills not whether folk do plead guilty or no, when they have done amiss: for God giveth here his determinate sentence, though they consent not thereunto. Neither doeth the case concern altogether the condemning of those that offend the law; but he beginneth with another matter, to wit, with right amiable promises: thereby to allure and to win mens hearts unto him.§40 Thus therefore doeth he say: If ye hearken unto my voice to obey my commandments, and be careful to keep them: you shall be blessed all manner of ways, and ye shall be environed through my favour, with all manner of welfare and prosperity. I have already told you, that GOD showeth great goodness towards men, when he goeth about by such means to win them: for it were sufficient for him to to say, This is your duty: and all creatures should §50tremble at his speaking. Therefore when he addeth any promises, he forbeareth part of his right, and therein humbleth himself, that we should be the more inclined and better disposed to serve him. If we had done all that we can, yea and more than we are able: is GOD bound to recompense us? Surely no. We must always resort to that which our Lord Jesus allegeth in Saint Luke,1 namely: That if a man have a bond servant, and he send him to labour §60in the field all the day long, when the servant cometh home at night; will he say: Well, now must I do my turn; thou shalt sit down at the Table, and I will prepare thy supper, and give thee thy meat and drink, because thou hast laboured for me, and my course is now come to serve thee? Will the Master say so? No truly. But when the servant is come home, the Master will say unto him, Cover the table, dress my supper, and give me drink. Even so saith Jesus Christ, When you have done all that is possible for you to do: think not in your selves, that God my father oweth you aught at all, or that he is beholden unto you: but proceed on still, and acknowledge, that all that ever ye can do is but duty towards him. And indeed seeing that God hath made us, what is he that can do too much for the service of him? We see then that God might say plainly: