A17698:4430
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.
Now whereas it is said unto Moses, that he shall be gathered up with his people: hereby our Lord meant, that he was of necessity to pass the common way (as they say,) of all mankind, and that his case should be no better than of all the rest of Adams children. Truly this would trouble us, if there were no more than so. But I §20have spoken already of the special promise whereupon Moses was grounded. Nevertheless, our Lord showed him that forasmuch as he was descended of Adams race: it behooved him needs to dye. And this accordeth still with the matter which I speak of even now, namely that we shall never take sufficient taste of Gods goodness and promises, until we be brought low in ourselves, that we may know our own neediness, and what the life is which is promised us, and which we obtain by §30Jesus Christ. We think not upon any of all these things, except we first know the death that is purchased unto us by Adam, & that the same dwelleth in us, and holdeth us prisoners in his bands. If we know not that we be cursed of God by nature, and that we have no other hope but rottenness as touching our bodies; and that as touching our souls we be rejected of God, & feel that he is against us, and that he is our Judge, that he will utter forth all his majesty to our confusion:§40 Until such time as we feel all these things, it is certain that we will never seek the remedy that is offered us in our Lord Jesus Christ, nor receive him with such reverence as to become like poor hungry souls. So then we see how we have need of this warning, that we must be gathered up. With whom? With those which have gone before us. And without that, what comfort shall we have? Less than the brute beasts have. For if we think upon nothing but §50death; we go all into rottenness; our bodies be in no better plight than the bodies of Asses and Dogs. And again as touching our souls, we must needs be separated and cut off from God, and feel him to be against us. That then is our state.
Now whereas it is sayd vnto Moses, that hee shall bee gathered vp with his people: hereby our Lord meant, that hee was of necessitie to passe the common way (as they say,) of all mankinde, and that his case should be no better than of all the rest of Adams children. Truely this woulde trouble vs, if there were no more than so. But I