A17698:512
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.
The conclusion that Moses maketh here, is well worthy to be marked: for it maketh for the matter which hath bin §50expounded heretofore: that is too wit, that we have need to be prepared to the obeying of our God, because we be disobedient of our own nature, and our affections draw contrary to his will, insomuch that whereas he will have us to walk uprightly, there is nothing but utter lewdness in us. Again, if we happen to have any good disposition & desire to §60walk after Gods commandments: we start away incontinently in the turning of a hand, and there is no constancy in us towards any good. On the other part, we have a sort of foolish dotages, which carry us away, so as we will needs be ever disputing with God, yea and be wiser than he. Therefore have we need to be subdued and humbled by all means, or else God shall never be able to weld us. For this cause it is said, that the people heard not the law published unto them one day only, but that they were often times put in mind of it. And that forasmuch as they were stubborn▪ GOD had subdued them by many chastisements, as by leading them about in the wilderness the space of forty years, to inure them to obedience: and by trying them divers ways, to teach them that it was no resisting of such a master.
THe conclusion yt Moses maketh here, is wel worthie to be marked: for it maketh for the matter which hath bin §50expounded heretofore: that is too wit, that wee haue neede to bee prepared to the obeying of our God, because wee bee disobedient of our own nature, and our affections drawe contrarie to his will, insomuch that whereas hee will haue vs to walke vprightly, there is nothing but vtter lewdenesse in vs. Againe, if wee happen to haue any good disposition & desire to §60walke after Gods commaundementes: wee start away incontinently in the turning of a hand, and there is no constancie in vs towardes any good. On the other part, wee haue a sorte of foolishe dotages, which cary vs away, so as wee will needes bee euer disputing with God, yea and be wiser than hee. Therefore haue wee neede to be subdued and humbled by al meanes, or else God shall neuer be able to welde vs. For this cause it is sayd, that the people heard not the lawe published vnto them one day onely, but that they were often times put in minde of it. And that forasmuch as they were stubborne GOD had subdued them by many chastisementes, as by leading them about in the wildernesse the space of fortie yeeres, to inure them to obedience: and by trying them diuers wayes, to teach them that it was no resisting of such a maister.