A17698:4223
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 therefore let us bear this doctrine so much the better in mind, where it is said that the righteous fell to kicking when he once became fat. How that although we had erst some good plain §50meaning in us, & there appeared in us some willingness to serve God: yet as soon as we be waxen fat, by and by we become wild beasts, as appeareth even by experience. Howe many be there, which are treatable & live after some upright manner, so long as God holdeth them in mean state? True it is that we shall see a number of hypocrites also, who as long as they have not wherewith to set out themselves, will pretend to be as lowly as is possible, and yet all is but hypocrisy.§60 Again there are others which will bear the countenance of good behaviour, and be well ruled, and live in the fear of God: but as soon as they be grown fat, by and by they play the wild beasts, they be stark mad, they show their teeth, they put out their horns, they fall to kicking, & they fling out against God. This is seen too much. And therefore it was not for the children of Israel only that Moses spake so: but the holy Ghost hath showed us here as it were the lively picture or image of the naughtiness which is in us, and whereunto we be inclined and given: that is to wit, that when God hath once made us fat, by and by in stead of living righteously which is the very condition whereupon he hath chosen us to be his children, we fall to kicking against him.
And therefore let vs beare this doctrine so much the better in minde, where it is said that the righteous fell to kicking when he once became fat. How that although wee had earst some good plaine §50meaning in vs, & there appeared in vs some willingnesse to serue God: yet assoone as we be waxen fatte, by and by we become wilde beastes, as appeareth euen by experience. Howe many be there, which are treatable & liue after some vpright manner, so long as God holdeth them in meane state? True it is that we shall see a number of hypocrites also, who as long as they haue not wherwith to set out themselues, will pretend to be as lowly as is possible, and yet all is but hypocrisie.§60 Again there are others which wil beare the countenance of good behauiour, and be well ruled, and liue in the feare of God: but as soone as they be growen fatte, by and by they play the wilde beasts, they be starke mad, they shew their teeth, they put out their hornes, they fall to kicking, & they fling out against God. This is seene too much. And therefore it was not for the children of Israel onely that Moses spake so: but the holy Ghost hath shewed vs heere as it were the liuely picture or image of the naughtines which is in vs, and wherunto we be inclined and giuen: that is to wit, that when God hath once made vs fatte, by and by in steede of liuing righteously which is the very condition whereupon he hath chosen vs to be his children, we fall to kicking against him.