A17698:380
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.
Peace, to offer it unto all men, and to the end that even the wickedst should be partakers of the same message and understand that GOD seeketh them. But yet for all that, we know that this message cannot profit all men. What must it do then? It must make men unexcusable. For what can be said §20to it, if God handle men out of hand as they deserve? We be all damned by nature, we bring such an inheritance of cursedness from our mothers womb, as God might sink us at the first day, and we could lay nothing at all for our selves. And forasmuch as there are a great number of people, which seem to perish but through simplicity: therefore it is Gods will to convict the whole world, to the end to take away all scapes. We see that when the Gospel §30is preached, those whom a man would have thought to have been well disposed, do burst forth, and their malice is discovered and laid open, which was hidden before. The world seeth how few are willing to stoop to take the yoke upon their necks: Nay, which worse is, the world sees that they become enemies to it, so as they can not be overcome by any warnings: or else they become so wild headed, as a man can not tell on which side to catch §40hold of them. Seeing then that when GOD hath sent men the message of peace after that sort, they on their side desire war and seek it, and can not find in their hearts to yield and submit them selves unto God, but will needs be enemies unto him: we see that the preaching of the Gospel to such as are utterly past recovery, is not unavailable. And why? For else their malice had been unknown, and Gods Justice should not be so apparent, nor have so §50great brightness, as when the wicked abide still unconverted and could not be subdued for ought that could be done.
Peace, to offer it vnto all men, and to the ende that euen the wickedst should bee partakers of the same message and vnderstand that GOD seeketh them. But yet for all that, wee knowe that this message cannot profite all men. What must it doe then? It must make men vnexcusable. For what can bee saide §20to it, if God handle men out of hand as they deserue? Wee bee all damned by nature, we bring such an inheritaunce of cursednesse from our mothers wombe, as God might sinke vs at the first day, and wee coulde lay nothing at all for our selues. And forasmuch as there are a great nomber of people, which seeme to perishe but through simplicitie: therefore it is Gods will to conuict the whole worlde, to the end to take away all scapes. Wee see that when the Gospell