A17698:3582
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.
For he that taketh too much upon himself, shall at the last be rejected of GOD, for not yielding him this obedience, which is the foundation whereon we ought to build. Let us mark therefore, that all they which follow their own foolish devotions (as they call them,) are misliked of God. For this text of the Prophet Isaiah must take place. Who hath required these things at your hands? 1Let us acknowledge therefore, that it is an inestimable benefit when God showeth us his will, and that the state of the Papists is accursed. For when they intend to do well, they know not which way to turn them, but every one followeth his own fancy with, I hope it will be well, for my meaning is good: and again common custom alloweth it, and our holy mother the Church doth command it: but in the mean while the law of God remaineth forgotten. Whereby we may learn that there is nothing but confusion in the life of man, in which is nought else but a mingling without order, until they be taught of God, as we shall see hereafter. This is the way, walk in it. It is said that we must be careful. This word was set down once afore by Moses,2 and not without cause is it here again repeated. For we be warned by it, that unless men be very heedful in obeying God, and enforce themselves thereunto, and set their whole study thereon in good earnest, they shall never attain to keep the law. And we ourselves see what weakness there is in us, yea even albeit that God do govern us, and although we be reformed by his holy Spirit. For as for the unfaithful, they be so carried away and so furious in their wilful stubbornness, that a man would think they should run mad against God. Yea and although that we be governed by the holy Ghost; yet are we so frail as is pity to see. God requireth a great perfection, when he willeth us ⟨p. 945⟩to love him with all our heart, to eschew all the vanities of this world, and all our fleshly lusts; and (to be short,) to forsake our selves, and to be altogether changed. This is a matter over high and difficult. Now let us consider what Satan doth devise and practise to turn us away from the service of God: how many sorts of temptations be there? They be infinite. Again, how sore are the assaults that Satan prepareth against us? When we have considered of all this;