A17698:4000
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.
Herein we see the wretchedness of our nature, that though God speak unto us with open mouth, and teach us never so faithfully, yet do we continue still as we were, so as no amendment at all is perceived in us, for all the long schooling that God hath bestowed on us. What is §50to be done then? That GOD having spoken by the mouth of men, and by the holy scripture, do also gather us unto him, and make us to feel his goodness toward us. For it is not sufficient for us to understand the things that are showed us in the holy scripture: but we must also be touched to the quick with them in our hearts, that we may be well assured of Gods fatherly love towards us. When we are once at that point, there is no more §60hiding, then is there no more darkness in the holy scripture: but it is a sufficient instruction, insomuch as it is good and expedient for us. For this cause doth Saint Paul send us to our Lord Jesus Christ, saying. That if we believe with our heart to Justification,1 and confess with our mouth to salvation that Christ dyed, and that GOD raised him again, then are we in that perfection which Moses speaketh of here. Now it is true that Saint Paul doth use in this place, the word Hell, for the word Deep: which he doth for the fitter applying of that sentence to his own purpose, which Moses did use after a general manner. Moses speaketh after the common custom of men. O what is he that can dig down into the bottom of the deep? Who is he that can mount up aloft above the skies? Saint Paul minding to apply this to our Saviour Christ, saith, that we need not to allege either heaven or hell, or aught else that can be imagined in this world; God doth sufficiently show himself unto us, in that we have witness that Jesus Christ dyed and is risen again. For we know that by the virtue of that word, Hell is bereft of all power over us; and heaven is set open for us. True it is that we must begin with this simplicity that Moses speaketh of. When he saith that the word is in our mouth, and in our heart; his meaning is that the being thereof in our mouth, is to the end we should talk of it, and so become learned: and that the being thereof in our heart, is to the end we should understand it. But Saint Paul goeth yet farther: not that he wresteth and wringeth the Testimony of Moses:
Herein wee see the wretchednesse of our nature, that though God speake vnto vs with open mouth, and teach vs neuer so faithfully, yet doe wee continue still as we were, so as no amendment at all is perceiued in vs, for all the long schooling that God hath bestowed on vs. What is