A17698:3581
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.
Although the good which the faithful do, be not worthy to be received of God: yet doeth he accept it in good worth. And wherefore? For he of his own goodness wipeth away all the faults that are in them. So then, when we labour to do well, notwithstanding that it lieth not in our power to attain to perfection, because of the overmuch frailty of our nature: yet will God receive our service as acceptable, as §50though he had nothing to say against it: and so are we made partakers of the blessings that are here mentioned. As how? We have not fulfilled all: It is true: but yet God passeth it in his accounts, as if all were performed, forsomuch as we be made clean by the blood of Jesus Christ. And like as we be cleansed, so be our works also, and when they come before God, he accepteth them, as though they were thoroughly good, righteous and perfect. Here therefore §60we perceive that the promises be not given in vain, but that they have their effect in the faithful: not at the first dash, but when we come thereunto by degrees, and circumstances, for then we shall feel the effect and force of them. As concerning the misbelievers, the promises stand them in no stead; but to make them the more unexcusable before God in the last day. For what shall they be able to plead, seeing that God hath so familiarly offered himself unto them, requiring nothing but to have the fruition of their whole life: that they might obey him: and yet they continue hardhearted? See ye not how they be double confounded? And therefore the promises and threatenings of the law, be always good and righteous, neither shall they be unprofitable, if a man can skill to take them as it were meet they should. But this shall be better perceived by the discourse which I shall make thereof particularly. Now let us proceed to expound the words that Moses doeth use. If thou wilt bear• the voice of the Lord thy God, and be careful to fulfil all the commandments which I command thee this day: all these blessings shall come upon the• and compass thee round about. As touching the first point, Moses showeth that which we saw before, namely, that the beginning to live well, is to hearken unto God. For men must not have the rule over themselves, saying, I will govern my self after mine own liking: we must not take such liberty:
Although the good which the faithfull doe, bee not woorthy to bee receiued of God: yet doeth hee accept it in good woorth. And wherefore? For he of his owne goodnesse wipeth away all the faultes that are in them. So then, when wee labour to doe well, notwithstanding that it lyeth not in our power to attayne to perfection, because of the ouermuch frailtie of our nature: yet wil God receiue our seruice as acceptable, as