A17698:3971
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.
But they may here reply,§10 that Moses meaneth not, that only GOD should altogether change men, and reform their hearts: for this place seemeth to show, that God will aid men, when they have some good motion, and be disposed to serve him: and that it is so, he saith, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart. But yet he addeth, And the Lord will make thee to love him. It seemeth therefore that Moses placeth some good disposition in men, and that they do begin on their part, and §20that thereupon God helpeth them and addeth that which they want. Thus do the Papists turmoil themselves, when men allege unto them whatsoever is spoken in holy Scripture concerning the grace of God; as that it is he which enlighteneth our conscience, it is he that giveth us the knowledge to discern good from evil, it is he that giveth us wisdom to walk as becometh us, it is he that giveth us power to resist temptations, it is he that wieldeth & guideth our hearts §30in his obedience; it is he that giveth us the power and virtue to continue: when men tell them any of these things, O [say they] it is true that men do not all; for, seeing that they be weak, God must aid them: but yet doeth it lye in them to guide themselves, and to have some good preparation; and moreover it lieth in them also to follow the grace of God and to receive it; and having accepted it to make it to prevail. To be short, the Papists make a parting of stakes as if §40it lay in us to seek God, & then that it were in us to put his grace in effect, in such wise as it should not be unprofitable, and that there is also a certain agreement between God and man, so as God for his part doth one piece and we do the other, yea and the principal part. But the meaning of Moses is nothing so. For he showeth not what belongeth to man, as in comparison and in respect of God. But it is the common fashion of the holy scripture, first to show us what is our duty,§50 and then to add that although we be not able to resort unto God when he calleth us, yet we must not be fainthearted at the feeling of our weakness: but rather resort unto him that is able to help it, according as he hath promised to do it. Let us mark well then, that when holy Scripture speaketh of that which men do owe unto God, we must not in that case stand scanning of our own power and ability: