A17698:4189
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 so ye see in effect, that to take away all pride and presumption from the children of Israel, & to show them that they could challenge nothing to themselves, Moses bringeth them back to the wellspring which the whole scripture showeth us, to wit, that all the benefits and gracious gifts which God bestoweth upon us, and which we receive at his hand, proceed of his own mere goodness, without being bound thereto, or without inclining thereto in respect of any desert of ours, but only because he loveth us, yea even without any cause why that we can allege: for we bring nothing at all unto him. That is the thing which we have to bear in mind.
And so ye see in effect, yt to take away all pride and presumption from the children of Israell, & to shew them that they could chalenge nothing to thēselues, Moses bringeth them backe to the welspring which the whole scripture sheweth vs, to wit, that all the benefits and gratious giftes which God bestoweth vpon vs, and which wee receiue at his hand, proceede of his owne meere goodnesse, witho•t being bounde thereto, or without inclyning thereto in respect of any deserte of ours, but onely because hee loueth vs, yea euen without any cause why that wee can alledge: for we bring nothing at all vnto him. That is the thing which we haue to beare in minde.
And if this doctrine was true as in respect of the Land of Canaan: what shall it be in respect of our coming to the immortality of the heavenly glory? The people of Israel could not obtain the land of Canaan by their own deseruing•, but GOD was fain to love them even of his own mere mercy, wherethrough he did them all the good that they received at his hand. Yet notwithstanding, that land was nothing in comparison of the immortal life. Whereas it is said that we be reformed after the image of God, to be partakers of his glory, and that ⟨p. 1118⟩we be his heirs, and companions to the Angels, yea and to our Lord Jesus Christ: it is a far other thing than the land of Canaan and the sustenance that is given us for this transitory life. And therefore let us understand that men are worse than blind, yea and more than mad, when they think to attain to so great a good thing by their own deserts. Yet notwithstanding, we see how this devilish opinion hath reigned and had full scope in the world, and how the Papists