A17698:4053
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.
WE do well confess that God dealeth §40graciously with men, when he vouchsafeth to teach them, and to show them the way of salvation. For we see well it is a most miserable state when men have no teaching all their life long, but do guide themselves at all adventures. Now the case so standeth that we can not hold any way that is certain for us, but only that which God showeth us: for as for the things which men devise, in §50deed they think them good enough, but in the mean while, albeit that they be blinded with their own fantasies, yet must they needs evermore stand in doubt, and God maketh it manifest at the last, that it was but vanity and folly. If men therefore were well advised, nothing should be more deer unto them, than to have Gods trueth to guide them, which would be a lamp to show them the way of salvation. Behold, God calleth us, he tarrieth not till we §60come to seek that which is good for us, neither would he have us to fetch long windlasses: but he offereth himself of his own good will, assuring us that we can not fail, if we will hearken to his voice; he will give us sufficient instruction, and he protesteth that it shall not be in vain for us to follow that which we shall have heard at his mouth.1 Yet notwithstanding, we for all this do make small account to be taught of him; every of us wandereth after his own imagination: and (which worse is) having had some taste and knowledge, and having found by experience that all our whole happiness lieth there, and that our whole contentment and rest ought to be settled in the obeying of God's word; yet is there none of us but he turneth aside from it, and the same hath been common in all ages. Now therefore, to remedy this mischief, GOD hath vouchsafed that his word should be kept by some mean, and that some certain folk should have the charge to preserve it safe and sound, that it might not perish. Wherein we behold the inestimable care that he hath of our salvation. Be not we worthy to be deprived of such a treasure, seeing we do esteem it so little? Yes: for our unthankfulness deserveth the wrath of God, and that he should withdraw the thing which he had bestowed upon us. Yet notwithstanding, he ceaseth not to draw us still back unto him:
WE do wel confesse that God dealeth §40