A17698:4361
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.
For until God have brought us to that point, we will never cease to put out our horns at him like snails. Albeit that we be nothing, yet will we pretend some sign of pride.§20 Seeing it is so, our Lord must be fain to trample us so under his feet, as we may not be able to endure any more. Furthermore we see how pride is a disease so rooted in men, that the remedying thereof must needs be violent. Nay, which more is, God must be fain to use as it were a poison to cure that disease withal. We see what befell to Saint Paul. To the end (saith he) that I should not boast of my self, God buffeted me. As how? After what manner? He §30saith that he sent him a messenger of Satan.1 See here how the devil is become a Physician. And how is that? We know that he bringeth nothing with him but deadly poison. That is true. But yet God serveth his own turn by this poison as by a medicine. And if Saint Paul were fain to have this done unto him, what have we need of in comparison of him? So then, let us not think it strange, seeing we be so unruly and so unwieldy, that when we have §40once done amiss, a man cannot tell at what end to begin to reclaim us. Forasmuch then as we be so hard to be tamed, we must not think it strange that our Lord should beat upon us with main strokes, & continue still in chastising of us, until we be utterly dismayed, and ashamed of our selves, yea and be brought as it were to nothing in ourselves. And now Moses declareth, whereat God aimed in all his scourgings of his people, to wit, to make them able §50to abide the hearing of the reproach that was to be done unto them, and to touch them to the quick, that they might accuse and condemn themselves, and make no mo replies and vain excuses, nor be any more possessed of their own fond fancies, so as they could not feel their own harm and offence.
For vntill God haue brought vs to that point, wee will neuer cease to put out our hornes at him like snayles. Albeit that we be nothing, yet wil we pretend some signe of pride.§20 Seeing it is so, our Lorde must be faine to trample vs so vnder his feete, as wee may not be able to indure any more. Furthermore wee see how pride is a disease so rooted in men, that the remedying thereof must needes bee violent. Nay, which more is, God must bee fayne to vse as it were a poyson to cure that disease withall. Wee see what befell to Saint Paul. To the ende (saith he) that I should not boast of my selfe, God buffeted mee. As howe? After what manner? Hee