A17698:4576
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 by this example we be taught, that although the world and the flesh do divers ways withdraw us and hinder us from giving ourselves to the service of God; yet is that no sufficient ⟨p. 1220⟩excuse for us, but we must fight against it. And it is a very profitable warning. For we see that every straw (as they say) will stop us, when we be towards the serving of God. If a fly do but whisk afore our eyes, we take occasion to turn aside▪ O (say we,) I had good will, but there happened such a thing, and that disappointed me: and so by that means we think ourselves quit and very well discharged. Then let us consider, that although this world have §10many lets to pluck us back and to turn us out of the right way; although we have many temptations; and although there be snares laid for us by Satan, so that when we would go one step forward, it seemeth that at every pace we should meet with a mountain: yet must we enforce ourselves, and howsoever we fare, we must not cocker ourselves in our delights nor think that if we have some hard and troublesome encounter to overcome, that that will serve to discharge §20us: But that seeing it is said of Zebulun and Issachar, who being placed in the borders or outlets of Jewry were mingled with the Gentiles and heathen folk, that they should not forbear to provoke their neighbours to serve God: we also ought to follow that which is said here of them. And specially let us put this in practise when we be among the unbelievers, which would fain infect us with their corruptions, and bring us into a misliking of Gods service, to plunge §30us in their idolatry. When we see such things, let us follow the constancy and stoutness of those whom Moses commendeth & praiseth here. For he setteth them as looking glasses before our eyes, to the intent that we should follow them. Be we then sometimes among the idolaters? Let us labour as much as in us lieth, to win them to God and to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. At leastwise when we shall have done our endeavour, let us continue still in the pure simplicity §40which we hold of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, and let us not be turned from it by any manner of occasion. And in any wise when we go about to win any idolaters, let us always show them our good ensample;