A17698:3646
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.
But to be short, we have to mark, that there are three sorts of people which keep the law of God in outward show. One sort doth it by compulsion, with gnashing their teeth at it, and they do discharge it after a fashion. And wherefore? Because they know well that they cannot escape the hand of God, they fear his §20anger and his vengeance; and therefore do they serve him; but that is by compulsion. But as I have said, all this is reproved. Another sort takes the middle way: for they know that God is faithful, and that such as serve him shall not lose their labour: these hearken to the promises which be expressed in holy Scripture. And so a great many do yield themselves to serve God, because he allureth them thereunto by promising them reward, as we have seen §30before. But, as I said, we may not stay there; but we must rather consider, that forasmuch as God hath made and fashioned us, redeemed us, and is our father, the same ought to suffice us although we had no respect unto that which he promiseth us: and forasmuch as he hath prevented us with his mercy: and showeth him self so bountiful towards us: his so doing ought to inflame us with an ardent affection to serve him. This is one of the principal points of §40our life. But (as I said afore) our Lord in his law hath respect to our rawness: and therefore he promiseth to reward us, to the intent we should have the better courage. And in deed though we serve God with affection never so pure and freely employed, yet must we always wait for that which is promised us, and stay thereupon. We must (I say) hope for his blessing, when we have served him with a good courage: but we may not do it to that end:§50 we must not be drawn by this respect only. For (as I have said) we must be his children, and honour him as our father. And as it is he that doeth uphold us: so must we assure our selves that it is not for us to imagine any merit in our selves, but that he accepteth us of his own only infinite goodness; and therefore that we for our part, must seek nothing but to vow and dedicate our selves wholly unto him. Howsoever the case stand,§60 let us learn, that when God hath set his promises before us, he must also be fain to spur us forward. Wherefore? Because our nature is full of rebellion against him: we be not only slow: