A17698:3867
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.
Moreover there be some that have their ears so ticklish, that they cannot abide that we should sincerely and plainly preach that thing which is manifestly declared in the Scriptures; §50to wit, that it is the peculiar office of God, to enlighten us, to give us eyes and reason, and to draw us unto him: and that otherwise we be so untoward, that we cannot apply our ears, or eyes to any thing else than to evil, but are holden in the bondage of Satan, so as we be not able to stir one finger,1 nor to have one good thought▪ unless it be given us from above. When we speak thus, there be some that are over dainty, which would §60fain that this doctrine were buried. And wherefore is it, that they profit so little thereby, and that they do thus kick against the Spirit of God? Is it not wisdom enough for us to declare that which we must understand by the holy Scripture? We hear what speech God useth; namely, that in man there is no goodness, nor understanding of the trueth; that he is so corrupted through sin, that all the light which we suppose our selves to have is but mere ignorance: that our lusts be rebellious against God, that we be so dull, as we understand not what is profitable for our salvation; but do draw clean backward. Let us speak simply on that manner, seeing that God doeth so teach us. But yet let us understand, to what end this doctrine must be referred. It is not to the end that men should pass their bounds, or not consider what they are; & that they should be past shame & mock God, as though they were not guilty of evil: but rather that knowing themselves to be men, (that is to say wretched creatures, unprofitable to any good, and that this serveth not to make them careless so as every man might say, I can do nothing, let God work if he will) they should flee to him for refuge, knowing that it is his proper office, to remedy our sins, and defaults. And therefore Saint Paul sayeth,2 Let us follow our salvation, even with fear and carefulness. And why? Because God giveth the will, and the power to perform according to his own free goodness. Lo how Saint Paul sayeth, that it belongeth to GOD to reform our hearts, that we may will well: for of ourselves we are not able to attain thereunto, but are altogether given to evil, until GOD do prepare us. Have we once a good will?