A17698:4307
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.
If we go to it after that manner, let us not doubt but our Lord will make the things available which are set down to us in his name, and §60give us access unto him both familiar and easy enough. Therefore let us mark well this word End, whereof Moses speaketh here, and let us consider whereunto God calleth us. True it is that he maketh us promises even of this present life, so as we ought to assure our selves that God will not fail us in this world, insomuch that although he will have us exercised with many miseries, and vexed with divers temptations: yet notwithstanding he saith he will hold us up with his mighty hand, so as we shall never be destitute of his help at our need. But yet the chief point is to consider the heritage which is reserved for us in heaven, so as we tend thitherward, and set all our affections thereupon, without entangling ourselves so in these base things, that we cannot have our hearts always upward: and that for as much as our happiness and treasure is above;1 we be not held down in this world; wherein all things are brittle and transitory. After that manner ought we to consider the word End, whereof Moses speaketh here. For whosoever they be that seek their happiness here beneath; surely they differ nothing at all from Oxen and Asses, but rather their state is yet much worse. For the beasts go on still, and are not troubled with the great number of lusts wherewith men are troubled. There is no ambition to be seen in them, there is no Covetousness, there is none of all the other lusts. If they be a thirst, they drink; if they be a hungered, they eat. But men desire not only to eat and drink, but also to glut themselves and to follow all manner of excess. Ye see then how a man is more wretched than a beast, in that he is so carried away by his unruly affections. Sith the case standeth so, let us tend to the end which god setteth down unto us; and let us understand that God doth so make us to taste of his goodness in this earthly pilgrimage, that he will have us to be filled therewith above, & but only to pass through this world, or to dwell in it as sojourners, and in the mean while not cease to be joined and united to our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that he is our head, and the fountain of all good things, and that all our joy, contentation, rest, and glory do lye and consist in him:
If we go to it after that maner, let vs not doubt but our Lord will make the things auaileable which are set downe to vs in his name, and