A17698:505
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 now must we also note the second point, which hath bin touched already: that is to wit, that if we purpose to be well taught, if we purpose to be confirmed, if we purpose to be wholly disposed to do the things that our duty requireth: we must repair to Gods school. For he hath given the power and efficacy to his word, not only to teach us to know what is good, and to give us wisdom and skill: but also to make us strong to go through with our affairs as we §30ought to do, so as we be able to withstand all evil, and to overcome all the stops and lets which the divill shall thrust in our way. To be short, to the end we may be able to compass all things well, and to go through with the things that God commandeth us: let us be ready to hearken unto God, and be willing to receive instruction by his word. And it is certain, that if we have that, it will never fail us, for it is a good schoolmaster. But (as I said) it is good §40reason that men should continue in their beastliness, and that GOD should discover their shame, when they will not submit themselves to him, but are so stately that they think it a needless thing to be taught, because they be no young children any more. Alas, that is even the very cause why god withdraweth his blessing from them. But contrariwise, let us do as Joshua did. If God be so gracious unto us as to teach us: let us be ready to receive instruction,§50 and then shall we be invincible. Albeit that Satan do practise all that ever he can against us: and albeit that the wicked be as bars to stop us, so as by all likelihood we can not set forward one step, no nor stir one finger: yet shall we be strengthened by the power of God, so we follow the order that is showed us here.
And now must we also note the second point, which hath bin touched already: that is to wit, that if we purpose to be wel taught, if we purpose to bee confirmed, if wee purpose to be wholy disposed to doe the things that our dutie requireth: we must repaire to Gods schoole. For hee hath giuen the power and efficacie to his worde, not onely to teach vs to knowe what is good, and to giue vs wisedome and skill: but also to make vs strong to goe through with our affaires as wee §30ought to doe, so as we be able to withstand all euill, and to ouercome all the stoppes and lettes which the diuill shall thrust in our way. To bee short, to the end wee may bee able to compasse all thinges well, and to goe through with the thinges that God commaundeth vs: let vs bee ready to harken vnto God, and be willing to receiue instruction by his worde. And it is certain, that if wee haue that, it will neuer faile vs, for it is a good scholemaister. But (as I said) it is good