A17698:3985
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.
as if he should say, Men must not take upon them to add any thing in this behalf under colour that the same is well pleasing to GOD: for I tell you that whatsoever God requireth and alloweth, he doth declare it in his Law: content your selves therefore with this doctrine, and be not wiser than needeth, seeing that your GOD hath taught you perfectly. For the better confirmation hereof he saith, Because thou shalt be converted to the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul. He showeth here, that before we can hear GOD, or keep his law, and be obedient unto him: we must be converted unto him. In deed he speaketh to such as were already swerved: But yet the nature of men is so in general, that even from our mothers womb we be all of us backsliders, and enemies to GOD, and ⟨p. 1058⟩there is nothing in us but utter frowardness and rebellion. God therefore must be fain to change us from the root. For he shall never get good fruit out of us, unless the root be first changed. Now this word Conversion, or, Turning importeth, that, whereas man hath his back turned upon God, he must turn again toward him with his face: and that is all one as if the scripture should speak of a change; as it is in likewise said that we must be renewed.1 §10We must therefore consider, that if we have the wit to suffer our GOD to teach us, it is a token that we are going toward him, and that we be willing to show the fear, obedience, and subjection which we owe unto his Law: But yet we must come to this point, of converting or turning back. And wherefore? For until men do know themselves, how can they so order their life, as it may be acceptable to God? We must understand that we be altogether §20untoward, and we must begin at this point, that whereas we have bin like strayed beasts, we must come and submit our selves to our God. And for that cause the Prophet Jeremiah saith, that the thorns which be in us must be plucked up,2 and then the good seed shall have place: as if a place were full of thorns and briers, and evil weeds, the same could not be sown, neither could any plough go there to put in the good seed: and therefore §30