A17698:915
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.
Another point is this: that forasmuch as it is his will to try our obedientnesse by living uprightly among men: none of us must be given to his own peculiar profit, but every of us must endeavour to serve other, and maintain mutual honesty among our selves, so as we not only abstain from deceit, violence, and cruelty▪ but also lead a sober and modest life, without looseness, lewdness, or beastliness. That is the second point of our life.
Another poynt is this: that forasmuch as it is his will to trye our obedientnesse by liuing vprightly among men: none of vs must bee giuen to his owne peculiar profit, but euery of vs must indeuour to serue other, and mainteine mutuall honestie among our selues, so as wee not onely absteine from deceite, violence, and crueltie▪ but also leade a sober and modest life, without loosenesse, lewdenesse, or beastlynesse. That is the second poynt of our lyfe.
Now sith it is so that the commandment of the Sabbath day is contained in the first table: it followeth that it belongeth to the spiritual service of God, and that it concerneth not the charity which ought to be betwixt neighbour and neighbour. And why then is it treated of in that place? It is all one as if our Lord should say, This Sabbath day shall serve you for an overplus, that your manservants and womenseruauntes may have some ease as well as your selves. Not that that was the drift of Gods purpose: his chief intent was not that there should be a day in the week wherein men should cease from labour that they might take breath & not be continually overhauled, so as they should be tired: that was not the cause which moved God to appoint the Sabbath day: But his ordaining of it was to do the faithful to understand that they ought to live after such a holy manner, as to rest from all their own lusts and desires, that God might work wholly in them. ⟨p. 209⟩Also here is a very excellent benefit, as men term it. Behold (sayeth our Lord) in as much as ye have this warrant among you, that I do sanctify you: see that you also endeavour to give your selves unto me. For lo, this thing shall do you service, and it is to your profit: that is to wit, your household shall not be always overhauled: for your menservants and your womenseruantes and your cattle must have some rest. Therefore ye shall have this as an overplus. Now we see