A17698:3715
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.
Besides this, here is a warning that seeing God hath put us in possession and fruition of this liberty, we must take good heed that we be not deprived thereof through our own lewdness: for this threatening which was made to the Jews, is in likewise directed unto us. Let us understand therefore, that seeing §50we have the Gospel preached unto us, if it prevail not with us, God must deliver us into the hands of other teachers when we shall have refused to obey him. And in very deed, we may not think that the horrible confusion which is in the Popedom, befalleth for any other cause, than that whereas they have been taught the pure doctrine of the Gospel, yet they have been rebels to Gods, and have not bound their necks to bear his yoke; and §60therefore GOD could not otherwise do, than deliver them over to such Tyranny as we see. And truly the same was told them aforehand by Saint Paul: It is good reason (sayeth he) that the world,1 seeing that it will not believe the truth, should obey lies: and that they which would not be subject to the living God, should be obedient to the creature, even to the Idols, which be nothing. Beholding therefore the examples before our eyes, and hearing the threatening as it yeth here: let us learn, whilst GOD doeth keep us in his school, so to walk in his fear, and awe, as we may no• be bereft of the welfare which we now enjoy; but that God may rather augment it, and cause it to prevail. Moreover let us mark that they which do serve Idols, shall not be excused therefore, although the same be a punishment of God. We know that one sin is punished by an other, according as it is spoken in diverse Texts of scripture: and as we see it specially avowed in the first Chapter to the Romans,2 That they which served not GOD in giving themselves wholly to cleanness of life, shall be shaken off and given over to all manner of shameful lusts, and have no more understanding to discern betwixt evil and good, than brute beasts, but shall run into all manner of infamy. Hereby Saint Paul doth very well […] that when GOD giveth us head to be plunged in the depth of our iniquities, it is for that we should be the more guilty before him. They therefore which worship Idols, notwithstanding that they be compelled thereto, and do sigh and would fain be at liberty: