A17698:4591
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 it is said, that he shall follow the Princes of Israel, to perform Gods Justice and Judgement. Hereby Moses showeth that Gad should not be turned away from God by the commodities which he was to enjoy. For although he had already gotten him a certain dwelling, and was now in a place of rest: yet notwithstanding he should not forbear to go suffer cold and heat, to lie upon the hard ground, to follow the wars, to put himself to all manner of danger, and to endure travail and all manner of pains of warfare. Seeing he ceased not to serve GOD in his calling, surely he was to be excused. And we have a good lesson to gather upon this place; which is, that we may then well enjoy the advantages which God giveth us, when they hold▪ us not back from the discharge of our duties, and from employing ourselves faithfully in the things which God enjoineth. For although a thing be lawful of it self: yet do we abuse it when we be hindered by it that we keep not on our way whither our Lord appointeth us. And herein we see how there are very few nowadays, which are not guilty of perverting the true and right use of all the benefits which God bestoweth upon them. We may well say we have not stolen. and that we do justly possess the things which God hath given us: but yet for all that, who is he which is not over cumbered with earthly cares, when he hath goods & lands? Who is he which is not too much wedded to them, & which resteth not too much upon them? Who is he which doeth not so give himself unto them, that he mindeth not the heavenly life. Ye shall see a great number which become cold, when God hath once given them goods: and othersome become altogether blockish. ⟨p. 1224⟩Howe many rich folk shall ye find, which are disposed to give themselves wholly unto God? Nay, we see they be held back as with lines and ropes, so as they be not able to step one steppe right forth, because their goods do hinder them. And even therein do we see a manifest condemnation, so as there is no excuse to be sought for, wherewith to shield ourselves afore God. To be short, so soon as God giveth us any forehand in this world or any commodity, by and by we §10be as it were tied here below, and we draw back from him, whereas we should rather go unto him. We can not set forth one step to go unto him; it is pitiful to see how lazy we be in doing our duty.