A17698:698
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.
True it is that his promises stand not upon mens doings, neither is it in every mans power to warrant himself that God will show him favour. For do we think him bound to us? Upon what assurance shall I conceive in my head, that God will accept me? That were a devilish presumption. God then must be fain to prevent us: he must be fain to promise us of his own free goodness, that although we be wretched & miserable: yet nevertheless he will have pity upon us. So then, if we will obtain forgiveness of our sins: we must begin at gods promises.
True it is that his promises stand not vppon mens doings, neither is it in euery mans power to warrant himselfe that God will shewe him fauour. For doe wee thinke him bound to vs? Vppon what assurance shall I conceiue in my head, that God wil accept me? That were a diuellishe presumption. God then must be faine to preuent vs: hee must be faine to promise vs of his own free goodnesse, yt although we be wretched & miserable: yet neuerthelesse he wil haue pitie vpon vs. So then, if we wil obteyne forgiuenesse of our sins: we must begin at gods promises.
But it is not for naught that Moses saith, the covenant of thy fathers. That is to say, the covenant that was made with thy fathers, which is as their peculiar inheritance. Now then we see how Moseses meaning is, that to come unto God, we must not only consider that he hath promised to be merciful to sinners: but also every of us must apply it peculiarly to himself, so as he can say, in deed I am a wretched creature, I am plunged in cursedness, there is nothing but despair for me. No verily, if thy God should not show thee mercy. As how? It is to thee that he speaketh when he saith, Come unto me all ye that are weary and overladen,1 and I will refresh you. Thou art of that number. Now then assure thy self that thy GOD giveth thee his promises, to the intent that thou resting upon them, mightest be sure of his goodness, that it cannot fail thee. Wherefore let us not doubt but that the promises which God hath made to his Church are ours, & that every of us ought to apply them particularly to his own use and benefit, so as when any man is in perplexity, that he wotteth not what to say, he must always come back to this point, how now?