A17698:3647
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 also there is in us an inclination to draw quite backward from that which GOD commandeth us. If there were no more but slothfulness, yet were that such a vice as were worthy to be corrected, and therefore we should have need of the threatenings that are mentioned here. But seeing we be so froward to be ruled, that we be always kicking, so as God cannot reclaim us nor inure us to his yoke: it appeareth that the menaces be double necessary. And herein there is very just cause to condemn us, seeing that God cannot win us to love, but is fain to show himself dreadful, to make us afraid▪ without the which we would lye still asleep. Seeing then that God doeth so little prevail with us, when he traineth us gently, seeking nothing▪ but to make us to follow him with a willing heart; let us acknowledge our frowardness and condemn our selves: and therewithal let us also confess the fatherly care that God hath of our salvation, seeing he useth all the means which he knoweth to be mee•e for us. For it is all one, as if he should (as ye would say) transfigure himself. His only respect is to reclaim us. One while he smileth on us▪ and another while he frowneth at us. But yet all tendeth to this point, namely, that we may be drawn unto him, to give over our selves to his service.
but also there is in vs an inclination to drawe quite backewarde from that which GOD commaundeth vs. If there were no more but slouthfulnesse, yet were that such a vice as were woorthie to bee corrected, and therefore wee should haue neede of the threatenings that are mentioned heere. But seeing wee be so frowarde to bee ruled, that wee bee alwayes kicking, so as God cannot reclayme vs nor inure vs to his yoke: it appeareth that the •anaces bee double necessarie. And heerein there is very iust cause to condemne vs, seeing that God cannot winne vs to loue, but is fayne to shewe himselfe dreadfull, to make vs afrayde▪ without the which wee woulde lye still asleepe. Seeing then that God doeth so litle preuayle with vs, when hee traineth vs gently, seeking nothing▪ but to make vs to followe him with a willing heart; let vs acknowledge our frowardnesse and condemne our selues: and therewithal let vs also confesse the fatherly care that God hath of our saluation, seeing he vseth all ye meanes which hee knoweth to be meee for vs. For it is all one, as if hee should (as yee woulde say) transfigure himselfe. His onely respect is to reclayme vs. One whyle hee smyleth on vs and another whyle hee frowneth at vs. But yet all tendeth to this poynt, namely, that we may bee drawen vnto him, to giue ouer our selues to his seruice.