A17698:4247
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 mark well, that when we have once known God, the same ought to suffice to hold us in continual obedience towards him, if we were not too too unthankful. Nothing ought to hold us so sure as the knowing of GOD. For then may we say, This is our GOD, we have no doubt nor misweening of him, as they have which deceive them selves by following their own imaginations, but we have the certain trueth which cannot beguile us. Had we therefore well profited in the knowledge of GOD, surely it would suffice to hold us in awe. And although we were never so sore turmoiled on all sides, so as the devil did cast never so many stumbling blocks in our ways, and we had never so many occasions given to turn us aside, and we see never so great diversity of opinions and whatsoever else is possible: surely if we have profited in Gods school, and know him as we ought to do, we shall never be turned away from him. And that is Saint Pauls meaning where he sayeth,1 that such as are well grounded in the Gospel, shall no more be like little babes that will be allured at the showing of an apple, and turn their heads this way and that way after it, and that if a man put a toy in their head, by and by they be carried away with it, and forget the thing which they were in love withal a little afore. S. Paul saith that if we be well settled in the Gospel, we shall not be any more so led by the bills, neither shall the devil be able to work us such illusions, but that we shall abide unvanquishable, and he shall gain nothing at our hands. For our faith shall be steadfast.
And therefore let vs marke well, that when wee haue once knowen God, the same ought to suffice to holde vs in continuall obedience towardes him, if wee were not too too vnthankfull. Nothing ought to holde vs so sure as the knowing of GOD. For then may wee say, This is our GOD, wee haue no dout nor misweening of him, as they haue which deceiue them selues by following their owne imaginations, but wee haue the certaine trueth which cannot beguyle vs. Had we therefore well profited in the knowledge of GOD, surely it woulde suffice to holde vs in awe. And although wee were neuer so sore turmoyled on all sydes, so as the diuell did cast neuer so many stumbling blockes in our wayes, and wee had neuer so many occasions giuen to turne vs asyde, and wee see neuer so greate diuersitie of opinions and whatsoeuer else is possible: surely if wee haue profited in Gods schoole, and knowe him as wee ought to doe, wee shall neuer bee turned away from him. And that is Saint Paules meaning where hee sayeth,