A17698:3578
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.
Nevertheless, howsoever the world go, let us mark, that all the promises which God maketh us upon condition, stand us in no steed (as it was told you yesterday) if we stay there. For why? Truly, God is faithful: and his speaking is not to deceive us: but yet let us look to our selves. What is he that so dischargeth him of his duty, that he may hope to be blessed of God? It is not said: You shall be §30blessed in keeping part of my law: but it is said in the text: If you hear my voice, and be diligent in keeping all my commandments, and fulfil them all: then I will bless you. Now that men endeavour themselves in all that is possible to keep the law of God, I speak not of their own power or natural motion. For so far off are they which be not regenerate by the holy Ghost, from attaining to serve God, that they can no skill so much as to conceive a good thought.§40 What is the inclination of man, but a striving against God, and all his righteousness? So long as men follow the leading of their own spirit,1 they do nothing else but fight against God, as utter rebels to his whole will. To be short,2 we be not apt (as Saint Paul sayeth) so much as to think to do well. To think is a very small thing: and yet Saint Paul cutteth us off from that power, and showeth that we be so corrupted and frowardly bent,§50 that in all things we draw contrary to that which God commandeth us. Insomuch that even when God hath reformed us by his holy spirit, and changed our malice and rebellion, whereunto we be wholly inclined: yet can it not be said that we proceed to the obeying of him in all perfection: for there is always some infirmity to let us: so that in stead of running we do but halt, and trail our legs after us: in stead of going right forward, we §60•eele from one side to an other: and it happeneth often to us, to trip and to stumble, as every man may well find in himself. Howe then can we hope to be blessed of our GOD, being so far wide from keeping of his law? That is the cause why I said, that all the promises which be upon condition are utterly unavailable, and shall never come to their effect, if God should rest upon that point.