A17698:4128
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 it is said, That the law shall be laid up there far a Testimony against the people of Israel. It should seem at the first show, that the law serveth but to condemn men: but I have already declared yesterday, that it is said so as in respect of folks frowardness which will not be taught but by compulsion. True it is that this hardness is to be found in all men: for by nature we are hardly brought in order, we be cumbersome, the wild beasts do not easily become gentle, no• suffer themselves to be tamed at our hands▪ but yet there is not so wild a beast to be found in the world as every man is, until our Lord have subdued the stubbornness that is in us, and given us the Spirit of meekness; and therefore our Lord is fain ⟨p. 1100⟩to speak unto us, and as it were to enter an action to reprove us. In respect whereof it is said,1 that the spirit shall judge the world. There our Lord Jesus Christ treateth of the Gospel, and showeth to what end it shall be preached. I will (saith he) send forth my doctrine, and to what end? To judge the world. Yea but the Gospel is a message of grace and fatherly loving kindness. God doth here offer unto us his heart, and telleth us that he requireth §10nothing, but to bring us to salvation: and wherefore then speaketh he of condemnation? It is impossible for him to bring us to salvation, unless we be first condemned. Therefore it behooveth us at the first entry to be enforced to submit our selves unto God: for until he hath made that change in us, we will never yield to be governed by him. Yet notwithstanding our Lord so worketh in his elect, that after he hath humbled them, they suffer themselves to be led §20without any more resistance; insomuch that their whole pleasure and joy is to be subject to God, and to frame themselves altogether after his will. The others be so rebellious, that our Lord is fain to use continual roughness and sharpness against them. True it is that even the faithful have always in them some kind of striving, so as they be never so throughly reformed but that there is ever some replying. Yet notwithstanding, as many as are governed by the §30