A17698:4023
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.
Moreover when men do so believe their passions, they must needs become like mad beasts, neither reason nor equity may bear sway, there is no more understanding in them, and to be short they are become brutish of their own accord. Seeing we be warned of these things, let us learn so to fight against all manner of excessive lusts, and against all the appetites that boil within us, as GOD ⟨p. 1069⟩may govern us quietly, and we be ready to follow which way soever he calleth us. Now after that Moses hath spoken so, he addeth, that albeit that the people have passed Jordan, and become to the possession of the land, yet they shall not enjoy it for ever. Here our Lord declareth unto us, that if he bear with us for a time, we may not thereupon fall asleep, nor persuade our selves that we be at peace with him, as the hypocrites do, who unless they be pinched §10with misery, and that God do pursue them roughly, do always make their market after their own devise. Well [say they] God must needs love me, for I am at mine case: and thereupon they flatter themselves. And whereas they do but mock God, they think that he seeth it not a whit. To be short, the blessings that God bestoweth on them, they turn as it were to a shrouding sheet, of purpose to keep God from espying any whit of their life. And §20thus they blear their own eyes, & make them selves pastime & good cheer, as though they should never come to reckoning. And that is too common a fault. Now Moses saith unto them here, Albeit your God do at this present time bring you into the land which he promised you, and that you pass over Jordan, where God will show his power, even in drying up the Jordan as he did in drying up the read sea, where your enemies were vanquished & put to the foil; §30insomuch that when you were like to have bin stopped from entering into your inheritance, yet notwithstanding all those lets were overcome. For as much therefore as you see such favour of God; beware that you sleep not in the mean while, but walk in his fear; for he can as well drive you out of that land, as he doeth at this present bring you into it.
Moreouer when men doe so beleeue their passions, they must needes become like madde beastes, neither reason nor equitie may beare sway, there is no more vnderstanding in them, and to bee short they are become brutish of their owne accorde. Seeing wee bee warned of these thinges, let vs learne so to fight against all manner of excessiue lustes, and against all the appetites that boyle within vs, as GOD