A17698:702
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.
Therefore doth he supply our want, and sweareth to warrant his word the better which he hath given us. If we believe not a man upon his bare word, we do him wrong. And therefore are mortal men put to their oath, because they be inclined overmuch to vanity. But when God sweareth at our request, what a thing is that? For seeing he is the unchangeable truth: why should not men trust him as soon as the word is spoken with his mouth? But hereby we see how froward we be, and on the other side we see also how God beareth with us in humbling himself so far as to swear for our sakes, because he seeth that we would else be always unquiet, and that we should still be tempted to doubt. Therefore vouchsafeth he to confirm us by swearing, to the intent we might be the better assured of the hope of our salvation, and not doubt any more of his promises. Thus much concerning Gods swearing.
Therefore doth he supply our want, and sweareth to warrant his worde the better which hee hath giuen vs. If wee beleeue not a man vppon his bare worde, wee doe him wrong. And therefore are mortall men put to their othe, because they bee inclined ouermuch to vanitie. But when God sweareth at our request, what a thing is that? For seing he is the vnchangeable truthe: why should not men trust him as soone as the worde is spoken with his mouth? But hereby we see how frowarde wee bee, and on the otherside we see also how God beareth with vs in humbling himself so farre as to sweare for our sakes, because hee seeth that wee would else be alwayes vnquiet, and that we shoulde still bee tempted to doubt. Therefore vouchsafeth hee to confirme vs by swearing, to the intent wee might bee the better assured of the hope of our saluation, and not doubt any more of his promises. Thus much concerning Gods swearing.
Now again Moses showeth after what manner men ought to seek GOD: and he showeth it by deed. He had said afore that such as seek God: with all their heart and with all their soul, shall find him. And now he showeth by what means men shall yield good proof thereof, that is to wit of their true and unfeigned repentance: that is to wit, by obeying the voice of God. For men will make brags enough that they bear a good heart to Godward: and we see daily this shamelessness, that such as have not one vein that tendeth to Godward, cease not for all that to protest with full mouth, that they love God, and they bear the world in hand that they be wonderful zealous. But there Moses bringeth us back to the trial. We must show whereby, (saith he,) so as it may appear by our fruits that our sins mislike us in deed, and that we be desirous in very deed to seek God, to stick unto him. And how may that be done? Even by obeying his voice, according as we know also that obedience is the thing which God preferreth before all other sacrifices.