A17698:4069
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.
but he sayeth that §40it is profitable to make the man of God perfect. And therefore let us not doubt, but that when our Lord delivered his law he knew our capacity, and applied himself in such wise thereunto, as he teacheth us according to our measure. In so much that if we be teachable, we shall find that his doctrine was not delivered us in vain, but that he meaneth to guide us thereby unto salvation, as it is in deed the true mean to attain thereunto: only let us §50suffer our selves to be governed of our GOD, and not behave our selves stubbornly towards him, seeing he offereth himself so freely unto us. And surely it ought to move us very much, when he sayeth, that God will have all, yea even the little children and all to be hearers of this law. For he telleth us (as Solomon also sayeth in his book of the Preacher) that men must not delay to think upon GOD,1 till they begin to droop and be broken with §60age. Yet notwithstanding, we see how youth runneth astray, and that there is nothing harder than to make young folk believe that they must be bridled in, that they must employ them selves, whilst they be strong and lusty, and that they must so much the more apply their wits to be instructed in the word of God. A man can not bring this to pass, but the stronger & lustier they be, the more careless be they. Now Moses showeth in this place, that as soon as the little ones begin to discern between good and evil, they must learn to know what God created them; and then what God hath showed him self to be their father; & what God they ought to serve, & wherein they must put their trust. And in very deed, at the very same time, God did already at the eighth day, give a mark of his free adoption; for before they knew either good or evil, God entertained them to be of his flock, and the circumcision served to seal the promise of salvation which he had made in saying; I will be the GOD of thy seed.2 Seeing that children be thus entertained, and God hath made it manifest that they be of his church, & household people of the kingdom of heaven: is it meet that when they be come to the age of understanding, they should hold scorn of him which hath prevented them with so great goodness?