A17698:4089
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.
And whereas our Lord Jesus is come to be our life, we know that he is now ascended up to heaven, we know that first he was beneath in the deep, that is to say, that he satisfied the wrath of God to the end to redeem us from eternal death. Seeing we have such an advantage, what excuse is there, if we be afraid when death is talked of unto us, and, think that all is lost for our part? So then, let us mark that to be well learned in the gospel, it behoveth us to know, aswell what it is to di•, as what it is to live. And how? We must no• be tied unto this present world, nor make account to dwell here for ever: but we must have the one foot up (as they say) [as folk ready to go]. Also we must consider how frail our life is, and even in our full health we must always have death before our eyes. For the performance whereof let us look up to the ⟨p. 1089⟩heavenly life y• is promised unto us, whereof also we have so good a pawn in our Lord Jesus Christ. That is the way for us not to be afraid, whensoever God shall make us to understand that our end is nigh, and show us that he will take us unto him. I say it shall neither abash us nor make us afraid, but we shall be determined to go unto him with a good will: as no doubt but Moses received that tidings with great joy, [as if he should have said] Well Lord, I have finished my course, I §10have travailed in the world so long as I had power and strength, and now behold I am old & drooping, but yet shall I be restored in thy salvation. Seeing then that it is thy will to sequester me from all the troubles of this world, behold I am now ready: like as I have continued in the world, so long as it was thy will, even so do I now desire nothing but to yield my self unto thee. And for the same cause S. Paul sayeth, that the Christians turn all things to their own benefit,1 aswell §20death as life. For if we live in this world, though it be in misery & wretchedness, so as we be afflicted and despised, and tormented, and seem to be as people cast away: yet doth the same turn to our profit and advantage. And why? For all our afflictions be blessed in our Lord Jesus Christ, because God maketh them available to our salvation: according as it is said in the eight to the Romans: