A17698:701
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 yet herewithall Moses faileth not to show, that it was not men that did first make the covenant with God, but that God did prevent them: and that it is he, that of his own free goodness hath bound himself unto them. And for that cause is it said that God sware to that covenant: and both of them are right necessary. For as I have told you, if we take not Gods promises as peculiar to our selves, it is unpossible for us to be so grounded upon them, as to call upon §30him with a steadfast heart, but we shall be ever wavering. Therefore we must be fully persuaded, that God maketh us partakers of all the benefits that he promised to our ancestors. And when we be once at that point, we must also consider on the other side, that it is not for us to be on the forehand with God, neither doth our Lord tarry till we come to seek him: but it is he that hath prevented us with his mercy. To be short, it is he that hath vouchsafed to take us for his §40children: and although we were strangers unto him, & had not in any wise deserved to have any acquaintance with him: yet notwithstanding he hath vouchsafed of his own accord to link himself with us. It behoveth us to think so. For if we know not that Gods promises are of free gift: we will fall to seeking of some desert and worthiness in our selves, and we will say, that was the mean whereby to come unto God: he bestowed such a benefit or gracious gift upon §50us, because we deserved it: we have gotten such a thing by the means of our own virtues. Let us beware of such fantastical imaginations, and let us not think to do our selves any good y• way. So then let us bear in mind, that whereas God hath declared his covenant unto us, & calleth it ours: yet notwithstanding he will have us to know, that his vouchsafing to utter himself unto us, & to give himself unto us, is of his own accord without being bound thereto, insomuch that §60we did rather deserve to be utterly rejected at his hand. And Moses thinketh it not enough to say •ingly that God made the said covenant: but he addeth also that he sware it: and not without cause doth he set that further here. For as I have declared already heretofore, when GOD speaketh, we inquire whether the thing be so or no. Truly such manner of inquiring is very wicked. But what for that? Our unbelief beareth such sway with us, as we cannot simply trust unto GOD.