A17698:4592
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.
And we see that scarcely the hundred man doth determine with himself to follow God: and if he do, it is so lazily as may be. Always the fault shall be laid upon the goods of the world for plucking us back from following the good which God calleth us unto. But §20here it is said on the contrary part, that God will then like well of our using of his benefits, when we be his people, and when we seek to do Justice and Judgement; that is to say, when we shroud not ourselves under pretence of our impediments, or under pretence of want of understanding, as we see the common manner is to allege such fond excuses as these, I have bought a yoke of Oxen,1 I have purchased a Manor; and another says, I have taken a wife, and because §30I am married, I can not go thither as God calleth me. Forasmuch then as we perceive that Gods benefits which of their own nature ought to be spurs to prick us forward, are hindrances to pluck us back▪ to the intent we may come to him with the earnester desire, let us enforce ourselves the more strongly to overcome all things that may hinder us or pluck us back.
And we see that scarsely the hundreth man doth determine with himselfe to followe God: and if he doe, it is so lasily as may be. Alwayes the fault shalbe layd vpon ye goods of the world for plucking vs backe from following the good which God calleth vs vnto. But §20heere it is sayde on the contrary part, that God will then like well of our vsing of his benefites, when we be his people, and when we seeke to do Iustice and Iudgement; that is to say, when wee shroude not ourselues vnder pretence of our impediments, or vnder pretence of want of vnderstanding, as we see the common maner is to alleage such fonde excuses as these, I haue bought a yooke of Oxen,1 I haue purchased a Manour; and another sayes, I haue taken a wife, and because §30I am maryed, I can not go thither as God calleth me. Forasmuch then as we perceiue that Gods benefits which of their owne nature ought to be spurres to pricke vs forewarde, are hinderaunces to plucke vs backe to the intent we may come to him with the earnester desire, let vs inforce ourselues the more strongly to ouercome all thinges that may hinder vs or plucke vs backe.