A17698:737
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.
Howbeit forasmuch as men are malicious, & when they cannot abolish Gods praise altogether, they darken it as much as they can: Moses excludeth here expressly all worthiness of persons, and all desert of works, in saying, it is the love of God. For it is not enough for us to know that God hath chosen us to himself: but we must also know what it is that moved him thereto, and how he was induced thereunto. Did he seek the cause of it out of himself? No: but his own love was the cause that he chose us. Now when the scripture speaketh of Gods love: it meaneth that free favour which he beareth towards us, so as he respecteth not our persons nor services, nor aught else that we can bring. Sith it is so, let us consider here Gods goodness two ways. For first of all when we have his Gospel preached among us, and his Sacraments, whereby he gathereth us as it were into his fold, and showeth himself to be our shepherd: it is (say I) a choosing of us, for the which we be greatly bound unto him: in so much that our maliciousness must needs be cast in our teeth, and be called to account to receive horrible vengeance, if we make no reckoning of so great a grace as he hath bestowed upon us. Therefore let us make much of the benefit that we enjoy,1 that is to wit, of Gods gathering us here together in his name, to be as his household folk.
Howbeit forasmuch as men are malicious, & when they cannot abolish Gods praise altogether, they darken it as much as they can: Moses excludeth here expresly all worthinesse of persons, and all desert of workes, in saying, it is the loue of God. For it is not ynough for vs to knowe that God hath chosen vs to himselfe: but we must also know what it is that moued him thereto, and how he was induced thervnto. Did hee seeke the cause of it out of himselfe? No: but his owne loue was the cause that he chose vs. Nowe when the scripture speaketh of Gods loue: it meaneth that free fauor which he beareth towards vs, so as he respecteth not our persons nor seruices, nor aught else that wee can bring. Sith it is so, let vs consider here Gods goodnes two wayes. For first of al when we haue his Gospel preached among vs, and his Sacraments, whereby he gathereth vs as it were into his fold, and sheweth himselfe to be our shepherd: it is (say I) a choosing of vs, for the which wee be greatly bounde vnto him: in so much that our maliciousnesse must needes be cast in our teeth, and bee called to account to receiue horrible vēgeance, if we make no reckening of so great a grace as he hath bestowed vpon vs. Therefore let vs make much of the benefite that we inioy,