A17698:908
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 hereof we may gather a good and profitable lesson: which is that when we be slow to obey God, we must consider his benefits. For what should more sharpen our desire to follow Gods commandments, than to consider that he dealeth not roughly, with us, ne overpresseth us §20not? behold God could rein us with a strait bit if it pleased him: he could drive us to so hard things as there should be no means to get out of them: but he hath a consideration to guide us as a father doth his children. Seeing then that he doth so bear with us: ought we not to be the more provoked to do as he appointeth us? yes. So then, as oft as Gods commandments are hard unto us, or at leastwise seem to be so: let us assure our selves that he doth not press us so §30much as he could, nothing near. For if God listed to use his right with extremity: we should be tormented out of all measure. Therefore let us understand that he beareth with us, and that he useth more than fatherly goodness in that behalf. It is true that the law of GOD is unpossible unto us,1 insomuch that we be not only unable to observe it throughout: but also if a man would of his own natural power discharge himself to Godward, he could not stir §40one finger, nor have one good thought, to know which way to begin. And so far off are we from being able to obey GOD, and to execute the things that are contained in his law: that all our thoughts and affections are enmities against God.2 If men could through their own power perform the Law: it should be said to them, Labour thou. But contrariwise it is said, Rest ye, to the end that God may work. The law then may well be unpossible as in respect of §50us, but yet is it possible for GOD to print it in our hearts, and to govern us by his holy spirit, yea even in such wise as it shall be a sweet and light yoke unto us, and there shall be no hardness in it that may weary us. Therefore when men have looked well about them: they shall find that God beareth with them, as a father that pitieth his children. And therefore let us learn to be thankful, and to be the more forward to serve our God, seeing he commandeth §60