A17698:379
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 now let us come to declare how Gods word tendeth unto life, and how it hath that property: notwithstanding that men through their own wickedness, do turn it to their deadly condemnation. This is sufficiently expressed in that it is said, That Moses sent a message of peace to Sehon King of the Amorites. His desire then is to abstain from all annoyance, if Sehon could abide it. Now let us see to what end the Gospel is preached, and after what manner. What else is contained in it, but that God intendeth to be reconciled to the world, as sayeth Saint Paul in the fifth of the second to the Corinthians?1 In as much then as GOD sendeth us tidings of peace, so as his desire is to show himself a father to all such as yield themselves teachable unto him, and our Lord Jesus Christ is offered us as the mean to bring us again into the love and favour of our God: it is surely a message of peace. And in deed the Gospel is so entitled, and not without cause.2 True it is that the law also was a message of peace, as in respect of the promises: If we look upon the law strictly,3 as Saint Paul speaks divers times of it: it will be a very message of wrath. But if we look upon the promises that were made to the fathers of old time: [we shall find that] even from the beginning of the world, Gods will was that sinners should know his mercy, and come unto him. And for that cause is it said that Jesus Christ bringeth peace, both to them that are a far off, and to them that are near hand, as sayeth Saint Paul to the Ephesians: and he will have it to be preached through the whole world,4 ⟨p. 78⟩that Gods only desire is to hold us in his love. Thus ye see how we may find salvation in the Gospel. Now then we see, that Gods word considered in it self, is a commission of peace, furthering us to be joined and made one with him, so as we may call upon him and rest in his goodness. And the mean to have this word to redound to our salvation, is this, if we can receive it as we ought to do, according as Saint Paul treateth thereof in the first §10