A17698:3958
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.
Although that GOD do smite stroke upon stroke, although it seemeth that he is determined to overthrow altogether: yet notwithstanding he doeth still call us back unto him, and would not have us to be fainthearted. And therefore let every man stir up himself, and although he be at his wits end as they say, so as he wotteth not where to become: yet let him not cease to take heart in consideration of this promise and to say, No, although I were brought to the bottom of the grave, yet doth my God call me back to him, and telleth me that seeing I am touched with repentance, he will have mercy on me to forgive me all my sins. This therefore is it that we have to mark further in this place.
Although that GOD doe smite stroke vppon stroke, although it seemeth that hee is determined to ouerthrowe altogether: yet notwithstanding hee doeth still call vs backe vnto him, and woulde not haue vs to bee faintehearted. And therefore let euerie man stirre vppe himselfe, and although hee bee at his wittes ende as they say, so as hee woteth not where to become: yet let him not cease to take hearte in consideration of this promise and to say, No, although I were brought to the botome of the graue, yet doth my God call me backe to him, and telleth mee that seeing I am touched with repentaunce, he will haue mercie on mee to forgiue mee all my sinnes. This therefore is it that wee haue to marke further in this place.
Now Moses showeth what is true repentance, saying: If thou do turn unto the Lord thy GOD with all thy mind. For even the wickeddest, after God hath overmastered them, will not stick to say, we have done amiss, and they will seem to be changed. But as soon as God giveth them any releasement, by and by they are worse than ever they were before. Or if they do not show at the first dash, that they be rebellious against GOD, yet doeth their hypocrisy disclose it self at the last, and it will appear that there was a hidden sore within, and that there was nothing but filthy matter. To be short, there are very few, that turn themselves to GOD, though they be admonished by never so many afflictions. Therefore hath Moses in this place defined true repentance: and the same ought to serve us for many purposes. Let us first of all mark, that when God doth punish us we think