A17698:697
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.
But it were not enough for us to know Gods nature, except we had his promise, and that he showed us his will there. For the Papists,§30 the Turks, and the Paynims also can well enough say (as they have always said) that God is merciful but they cannot seek it to taste thereof. And the reason is, because they do not stick and lean to his promises. True it is that when they have once imagined that God is merciful, they enter into many questions. Yea but in deed (say they:) what wot I, whether this mercy serve for me or no? And afterward they put Gods mercy into the balance with §40their sins, and stand as folk dismayed at it. Then is there a certain confused imagination of Gods mercy in all men: but yet can they not trust to it, neither can they return unto God, with full persuasion that he will reach them his hand to succour them. And why? for they have not his promises. So much the more therefore doth it stand us in hand, to mark well this text of Moses when he addeth: The Lord thy God will not forget the covenant of thy fathers which he §50sware to them. And so besides the knowledge which we have that God is merciful, and will receive sinners when they come unto him: let us mark well that it behoveth us also to have his promises to rest upon, so as our coming unto him may be because he calleth and allureth us, because he hath showed us his will, because we need not fear that we shall loose our labour. And why? for we have a warrant that GOD will hear us. But Moses saith expressly here,§60 the covenant of thy fathers which he hath sworn unto. And why [hath he sworn unto it?] Because it is not enough for us to know that God hath promised to receive wretched sinners & to pardon them: except we know also that his promises are directed specially unto us, and can apply them to our use.
But it were not enough for vs to knowe Gods nature, except wee had his promise, and that hee shewed vs his will there. For the Papistes,§30 the Turkes, and the Paynims also can well enough say (as they haue alwayes sayde) that God is mercifull but they cannot seeke it to taste thereof. And the reason is, because they doe not sticke and leane to his promises. True it is that when they haue once imagined that God is mercifull, they enter into many questions. Yea but in deede (say they:) what wote I, whether this mercie serue for mee or no? And afterward they put Gods mercy into the ballance with