A17698:4037
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.
Now he sayeth unto the people, I am an hundred and twenty years old, I can no longer go and come: and the Lord hath said that I may not enter into this land. First of all▪ he allegeth his weakness, for that he was so old, so bruised and broken: that he was no longer able to satisfy so difficult a charge. I can not go and come (sayeth he). Now hereof I gather that which I have touched, namely, that whilst Moses was lusty, or had in him any strength at all, he spared not himself, knowing well that the same was not given him for himself, but for the common benefit, and welfare of all the people: he then practised that which Saint Paul speaketh of, namely, not to live to himself.1 Now in deed we be not all so excellent as he was: yet nevertheless this rule is common to all the children of GOD, that is, that no body is created for his own particular behoof; but that we must look to our vocation, that we may follow it,2 and offer up our selves in sacrifice to God, & every man live and continue according to his ability and measure without idleness. And let us not flatter our selves, as to say, I am excused: for it is not for us to take our leave, and to give over, and to discontinue when we our selves list. Every man (I say) must go on even to the end, without being weary: and when it shall please GOD to deliver us out of this world, then are we discharged, and not afore.
Nowe hee sayeth vnto the people, I am an hundred and twentie yeares olde, I can no longer goe and come: and the Lorde hath sayde that I may not enter into this lande. First of all▪ hee alleageth his weaknesse, for that hee was so olde, so brused and broken: that hee was no longer able to satisfie so difficult a charge. I can not goe and come (sayeth hee). Nowe hereof I gather that which I haue touched, namely, that whilest Moses was lustie, or had in him any strength at all, hee spared not himselfe, knowing well that the same was not giuen him for himselfe, but for the common benefite, and welfare of all the people: hee then practised that which Saint Paul speaketh of, namely, not to liue to himselfe.1 Nowe in deede wee bee not all so excellent as hee was: yet neuerthelesse this rule is common to all the children of GOD, that is, that no body is created for his owne particular behoofe; but that we must looke to our vocation, that wee may followe it,