A17698:631
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.
Surely it is a very hard thing to forsake §50our own reason, so as we should not be wise in our own conceits, to behave our selves after our own liking, but yield that there is nothing but vanity and untruth in us, and learn to humble our selves. That (say I) is a thing contrary to our nature: for we have a fond belief that we be wise of our selves. But God on the contrary part will have us to be bereft of our self-wit and self-reason, and to give over our selves to be governed by his spirit. Also our affections do §60carry us away, in so much that men would fain have the bridle laid loose in their neck to do all manner of evil, and that God should give them leave to do what they list. Now our affections are sinful, and God will have us both to condemn them and to restrain them,1 so as we may be as prisoners in that behalf, and with main force withstand whatsoever carieth us away to evil. But ye see that men list not to serve God with that condition. Again we be commanded to love our neighbour as our self,2 Whereas we be given to seek every man his own profit: God pulleth us from it, and contrariwise will have us to procure the welfare of our neighbours. And whereas we be given to subtlety,3 to shifting, and to all manner of naughtiness: he will have us to deal plainly, and to lay aside all desire of revenge. If any man do us harm or wrong: the world sees how hot we be to acquit like for like. But Gods will is that in such cases we should yield him such service, as to forgive the wrongs quietly that are done unto us. Again whereas we be desirous to run at rovers in taking our delights and pleasures: Gods will is that we should but wayfare through this world, still having our eye upon the everlasting life: that we should mortify whatsoever is earthly in us: and that although he give us some commodities and ease, yet our using of them should be but as it were running by them. Moreover he will have us patient in all our adversities. If it please him to keep us occupied with never so many crosses, he will have us to bear them meekly. These things are good & holy: but mans nature striveth altogether against them. And what do men in stead hereof? It is a much easier matter to have a sort of gaudies, & gewgaws.