A17698:823
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.
And herewithall we must also note what he addeth concerning the favour that he showed to his people. I have brought thee (sayeth he) out of the land of Egypt. Of a trueth God meant hereby to bind the people of Israel to him most specially above all other nations. And that is the cause why he maketh express mention of their deliverance.§40 Nevertheless, when God speaketh, we must bethink us of all the benefits whereby he hath bound us to himself, which are infinite & inestimable. But yet must we taste of them after our ability, and apply all our understanding to them, and forasmuch as we see that we come short, we must strain our selves the more, to know at leastwise so much by them, as may teach us to fear and love our God. Doeth God then speak? We must first consider, that it is he which §50hath created and fashioned us: and therefore we be his. Lo here a benefit that is singular enough already. Were there no more but his setting of us in this world and his maintaining of us here: could we recompense it as we be bound to do, though every of us employed himself to serve him to the uttermost of our power? No: But yet further when we behold the records of his love which he giveth us both above and beneath,1 as that he hath made the world for our §60sakes,2 that he hath ordained and appointed all things to our use, that he hath printed his image in us to the intent we should be immortal: and that he hath prepared a better inheritance for us than this transitory life: when we see all these things, must it not needs be that we be worse than blockish, if we be not ravished with earnest affection to worship our God, and to vow and dedicate our selves wholly to him? Yes: but besides this, we must bethink us of all the good turns which God hath done us, as well in general as in particular: and then must we confess with David, Lord, when I think upon thy benefits, behold, my wit is plunged as it were into a bottomless pit:3 yea they be moe in number than the hairs of my head, as it is said in the fortieth Psalm. Again, when we have acknowledged how much we be beholden to our God generally: let us also consider the benefits that every of us have received at Gods hand particularly. And whereas it was said to the people of Israel in old time, I brought thee out of the land of Egypt: