A17698:4635
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.
Among the other matters which were laid forth yesterday, there remained how Moses §20told the people of Israel, That there was not then any Nation upon earth, like unto them, because they were saved by God: and that is to be marked well. For although God do by his power and grace preserve all creatures; yet will he be known to be the Saviour of his people. Therefore when we be saved in him it is a privilege §30which can not be sufficiently expressed & magnified. For we differ not from other men in respect of any worthiness that is in us; neither have we it by inheritance, but it cometh of Gods free goodness. And therefore whensoever we be spoken to concerning our salvation, let us understand from whence it proceedeth, and that God giveth us that beauty. For we be like all the rest of Adams offspring. If we should be esteemed according to our nature, we be no better §40worth than those whom God forsaketh and utterly casteth away. Wherefore then hath he chosen us, but for his own mere goodness sake? The thing which we have to remember upon this text, is that God will have his grace so much the better known, because salvation is not common in general to all men, but is a peculiar gift. And Moses showeth by the way, what this saving is; namely when God is our shield and our defence. As if he should say that §50without him we can not be maintained: for we be laid open to many deaths, and have not wherewith to resist. It is like as when a man is assailed on all sides, and hath neither weapon nor armour, but is stark naked. Even so is it with us, if God fence us not. Therefore he is called our shield and our help. Whereby we be done to understand, that we can not succour ourselves of our own power, neither have we the mean to do; but it must come of God. He is termed §60the sword of our glory. In deed men glory enough in themselves, they flatter themselves, and they persuade themselves the thing that is not. But here we be plucked back from all the vain hopes which deceive us and beguile us, to the end we should learn to set all our glory in God, and to conclude that we have none other power than his, whereby to be maintained.
AMong the other matters which were layde foorth yesterday, there remayned how Moses §20