A17698:680
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.
First therefore let us learn to use well the benefits that God bestoweth upon us, and to submit our selves unto him seeing he showeth himself so friendly and loving towards us, assuring our selves that he can well take away the things that he hath given us. Not that we must be afraid that God will not continue his goodness still towards us, yea and also increase it if we on our side walk aright, and continue in the possession of the things that he hath put into our hands: but that such as despise God, shall feel that he is not bound to them, nor unable to pluck the things out of their fists which he had given them. Let us therefore possess Gods benefits in fear and carefulness. This is the thing in effect, which we have to gather upon the said saying of Moses. True it is, that we have not now adays a ⟨p. 153⟩land of Canaan, so as Gods Church should be separated into some one country, where it pleaseth him to have his name called upon: but yet notwithstanding if we have a place where we may serve him uncorruptly, he granteth us a special grace, and we ought to set great store by it. And if we know not that: we shall feel that Moses hath not said in vain, that we shall become like other nations. How many nations see we in these days, that enjoy the §10like benefit as GOD hath bestowed upon us? Nay contrariwise, they that have any taste of the Gospel, do languish among the enemies of the faith, and are there as sheep in the wolves mouth, wandering up and down as in a wilderness, while in the mean time our God keepeth us as in his flock. Seeing then that we have such an advantage: is it not reason that we should strain our selves to serve God, and that we should live peaceably under his hand,§20 seeing he doth us the honour to receive us, as in deed it is he that governeth us, and the thing is as apparent as any thing may be? Now then if we will needs be overlusty, the threat that was uttered in old time against the Jews will light upon our heads. And as it is said here that they shall be few in number: so although GOD have gathered a great sort of us together, he can well enough diminish our number, if we misbehave our selves: and in §30the end, the thing that is most of all to be feared will come upon us, that is to wit, that we shall serve strange Gods.