A17698:3900
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.
Now first of all let us mark how it is said here, that when we have heard the curses that are contained in the Law, it is a token of a spiteful and bitter mind to say; Tush I care not a whit what God speaketh. Albeit that we were not taught by any doctrine: yet have we a witness within us which speaketh unto us, namely our own conscience, whereby every of us is reproved, and driven to understand that God is our judge, yea, even when we be absolved by men, as they be which escape by bribes, presents, favour, sleights and subtleties; who being absolved by men, fail not to bear their condemnation still about them in their own hearts. But if when God showeth unto us that we must come to an account, and wakeneth us up, by confirming and ratifying that which we do already know and perceive, concerning the difference betwixt good and evil: if we then continue still hardhearted; is it not to be said that we be as good as bewitched by Satan, and that he hath bereft us of all understanding and reason? To be short, let ⟨p. 1034⟩us learn to walk in fear and carefulness, whensoever our Lord speaketh unto us, and quickeneth us up by good warnings and admonishments. Let us beware that we stand not stubbornly against him: for we see what they gain in the end which be so cankerhearted against GOD. Therewithal let us call to mind that which I have said already; namely that the highest point of all wickedness is when men bless themselves in their hearts,§10 that is to say, when they bear themselves in hand, that all shall go well with them notwithstanding that God do threaten to be their enemy, and to make them to feel his wrath. And this is written more at large by the Prophet Isaiah. For there GOD complaineth of such as scorned the Prophets; for there were in those days the like scorners that are to be seen in these days. Tush (say they) let us make good cheer,1 we shall die to morrow.§20 They had made that saying a common proverb. Therefore when the Prophets perceived that all things were so far out of order as was horrible to see, and that iniquity was become like a waterflood, so as men kindled the wrath of God more and more: they did not cease to cry: Woe, woe, it is impossible that GOD should forbear us or suffer us any longer: he hath used so long patience, that now we must needs perish all of us.