A17698:469
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 therewithal we must pray him to make us think well of all his doings, and to deal so with us as we may agree there unto: howbeit, not as enforced, but of our own accord. Thus ye see what we have to remember upon this example of Moses. Sith it is so: let us beware that we pray not for any thing, which we know doth displease God and is condemned of him. As how? If we should desire him that we might live ever in this world: we know we be created to another end, yea and we cannot be his children, but we must be as pilgrims in this world,1 as saith the Apostle. Seeing it is so: he that should desire to live always here, should renounce the kingdom of heaven, separate himself from god, and bar himself from all access unto him. So then ye see here a thing that were clean contrary to the manner of praying aright: as much is to be said of all our sinful lusts. We know what God hath forbidden us: if we deal to the contrary, is it not as if we should play the chafed bulls or wild beasts? And suppose we that such manner of praying provoketh not Gods vengeance against us? Is it not a heinous treason to him, seeing we cannot devise to abuse his name more falsely? Therefore we must always look well about us. Seeing the case standeth upon the finding out of the will of our God: we must (I say) be well advised what he promiseth us, & then shall we have our requests granted us.
And therewithall wee must pray him to make vs thinke wel of al his doings, and to deale so with vs as wee may agree there vnto: howbeit, not as inforsed, but of our owne accorde. Thus yee see what we haue to remember vppon this example of Moses. Sith it is so: let vs beware that we pray not for any thing, which we knowe doth displease God and is condemned of him. As howe? If we should desire him that we might liue euer in this worlde: we knowe we be created to another ende, yea and we cannot be his children, but we must be as pilgrims in this world,1 as saith the Apostle. Seeing it is so: he that shoulde desire to liue alwayes here, should renounce the kingdome of heauen, separate himself from god, and barre himselfe from all accesse vnto him. So then yee see heere a thing that were cleane contrarie to the manner of praying aright: as much is to be saide of all our sinfull lustes. Wee knowe what God hath forbidden vs: if we deale to the contrarie, is it not as if wee shoulde play the chafed bulles or wilde beastes? And suppose wee that such manner of praying prouoketh not Gods vengeance against vs? Is it not a heynous treason to him, seeing wee cannot deuise to abuse his name more falsly? Therefore wee must alwayes looke wel about vs. Seeing the case standeth vppon the finding out of the will of our God: wee must (I say) be well aduised what he promiseth vs, & then shall we haue our requests graunted vs.