A17698:662
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.
Now remaineth that we apply it further to our selves: And first and foremost let us mark §50well, that if we have been received into the Church, and God for a time have admitted us to be of his people and flock, and have bestowed many benefits upon us, specially if we have had any excellency or preeminence above others: we must not be proud of it. For if we abuse Gods grace, he can well enough root us out: and if we follow not his calling, he can as well cut us off, as he could adopt us. And in good sooth, if this befell to the Jews which were the §60natural branches (as Saint Paul termeth them) and which came out of this stock of Abraham:1 if that holy and high exalted linage was nevertheless so cut off upon the sudden, and disinherited of the possession that God had given them: what shall become of us which are grafted in as it were against nature? For we were wild imps: we came of the Gentiles, which were enemies to God,2 & separated from his Church, & had not any acquaintance with him. Seeing then that our Lord gathereth us to him, not only by Baptism but also by the holy supper, and we have his word daily, wherein he assureth us that he is our father, that he will be the keeper of our souls, and that he will take us for his people: let us learn to look diligently about us, that we abuse not so great a benefit. But if we mind to enjoy it for ever: let us fear our God and walk in his obedience: and that (I tell you) is a thing which we ought to bear in mind. For if we think to hold God in our sleeve, and imagine him to be bound unto us because he hath once chosen us: he will easily show us that as he came to us, so will he go again from us, if we will needs be overlusty. Will we then have our Lord to continue our shepherd still? Let us be pliable to him, so as we live quietly under his subjection. To be short, let us always bear in mind the threat which our Lord Jesus Christ uttereth:3 That is to wit, that the kingdom of God shall be removed far from us, when we cannot profit thereby, and that it shall be taken away from us, and given to a people that shall glorify their God, when they have bin taught by his word. Thus ye see what we have to remember upon his point.