A17698:4602
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 have we a good lesson to gather upon this text: which is, that if we be desirous of prosperity, we must seek it at Gods hand; & not do as they do which wish enough, but in the mean while cannot lift up their hearts to call upon God. Look upon the wishes of this §20world, how they flee in the air; every man coveteth whatsoever most liketh his flesh; & there is no end of wishing, with I would, I would. And whereas men speak after that fashion, yet shall ye scarce find one among a hundred, which directeth himself to God, to say, Lord thou knowest what is meet for me, vouchsafe I beseech thee to send it me. Forasmuch then as men are so gadding, and that their nature leadeth them but to flickering in the air §30after their wishes; and in the mean while they occupy not themselves in prayer and supplication: therefore it behooveth us to mark well the texts, where it is showed us that all prosperity cometh of God. And moreover we must understand that when God uttereth his favour in that wise, it is because that he of his own free goodness hath vouchsafed to love us: so as we must not seek the cause thereof in our selves, as though we had prevented God, or as though §40we had gotten aught by our own deserts: but [we must understand] that God is favourable unto us, because he hath loved us, notwithstanding that we were unworthy of it. Thus ye see then that from the conduit pipe whereat we drink, we must go up to the fountain and to the springs head, that is to wit, to Gods free goodness which is highest in degree, as the only cause of all the benefits which we receive at his hand.
Now haue wee a good lesson to gather vpon this text: which is, that if wee bee desirous of prosperitie, wee must seeke it at Gods hand; & not do as they do which wish ynough, but in the meane whyle cannot lift vp their hearts to call vppon God. Looke vppon the wishes of this §20world, how they flee in the aire; euery man coueteth whatsoeuer most liketh his flesh; & there is no ende of wishing, with I woulde, I woulde. And whereas men speake after that fashion, yet shall yee scarse finde one among a hundred, which directeth himselfe to God, to say, Lorde thou knowest what is meete for mee, vouchesafe I beseech thee to sende it mee. Forasmuch then as men are so gadding, and that their nature leadeth them but to flickering in the aire