A17698:3884
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 we must remember, that GOD speaketh first and we do follow. If a man should begin and put forth himself to say, I promise my GOD to serve him in all pureness of life, it were too great an advancing of himself. And why? For (as I have already said) there is nothing in us but utter §40corruption. And although GOD have reformed us, yet are we continually hindered from discharging us of our duty, so as we do not the tenth part thereof, I mean even them that have profited best, which are most holy, and as it were little Angels. Moreover when GOD hath once begun, and hath said unto us: No, I know you can do nothing, and that you be creatures destitute of all goodness, and that there is nothing in you but naughtiness §50and rebellion; howbeit forasmuch as I accept you to be of my flock, I promise to govern you with my Spirit. If we receive that promise with assured faith, and accept the offer which GOD maketh unto us, we may then say, Well Lord we come hither, not presuming any thing upon our own power, but beseeching thee to govern us: our only desire is that thou shouldest hold us as captives to make us to forsake our own lusts and affections, with all the frowardness and wickedness of our own nature. Now then we see that this oath is lawful, and that there is no rashness nor presumption in men.
Moreouer we must remember, that GOD speaketh first and wee doe followe. If a man shoulde beginne and putte foorth himselfe to say, I promise my GOD to serue him in all purenesse of life, it were too greate an aduauncing of himselfe. And why? For (as I haue already sayde) there is nothing in vs but vtter §40corruption. And although GOD haue reformed vs, yet are we continually hindered from discharging vs of our duetie, so as wee doe not the tenth parte thereof, I meane euen them that haue profited best, which are most holy, and as it were litle Angelles. Moreouer when GOD hath once begunne, and hath sayde vnto vs: No, I knowe you can doe nothing, and that you be creatures destitute of all goodnesse, and that there is nothing in you but naughtinesse §50and rebellion; howebeit forasmuch as I accept you to be of my flocke, I promise to gouerne you with my Spirite. If we receiue that promise with assured faith, and accept the offer which GOD maketh vnto vs, wee may then say, Wel Lorde we come hither, not persuming anie thing vppon our owne power, but beseeching thee to gouerne vs: our onely desire is that thou shouldest holde vs as captiues to make vs to foresake our owne lustes and affections, with all the frowardenesse and wickednesse of our owne nature. Nowe then we see that this othe is lawfull, and that there is no rashnesse nor presumption in men.