A17698:918
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.
Now this saying ought to serve us continually for a spur, to make us go forward with the things that God commandeth us. For the chief thing that stayeth us from ruling and directing our life in the obedience of God, is that being too much wedded to our selves, we think that this thing or that thing will be more for our profit, and whatsoever come of it, we will needs lay for our own commodity, & for the things that pertain to the world. We see here that men cannot find in their hearts to follow God: but rather shrink away from him & draw clean back from his law, because that to their seeming, if they should serve God they should never thrive. But that is such a shameful thanklessness, as enhanceth their rebelliousness a hundredfold more. What is to be done then? Let us mark well that we can never serve God with a free & cheerful heart, except we be fully resolved that he will provide for us all our life long, & not forget us as is said in the person of Joshua.1 For in the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Apostle applieth this doctrine to all the faithful, even of purpose to withdraw them from over great carefulness: he sayeth, Thy God will not forsake thee, neither will he forget thee. Now if we could once be throughly persuaded that God watcheth over us, and that he will provide for all our necessities: it is certain that we should not be so overplunged in our earthly affections, we should not be turned away from the serving of him, neither should we be letted to mind the spiritual life: but we should pass through the world & use the creatures as though we used them not, because we would consider that we had yet further to go. Thus ye see the effect that we have to gather of this lesson, is that where our Lord showeth us that his commanding of the Sabbath day to be kept, hath a spiritual meaning: yet notwithstanding men shall not fail to find the same profitable to them, and that God will bless them for it, if they look rightforth to him, and be not too eager in seeking their earthly commodities.
Now this saying ought to serue vs continually for a spurre, to make vs goe foreward with the things that God commandeth vs. For the chiefe thing that staieth vs from ruling and directing our life in the obedience of God, is that being too much wedded to our selues, we thinke yt this thing or that thing will be more for our profite, and whatsoeuer come of it, we will needs lay for our own commoditie, & for the things that pertaine to the world. Wee see here yt men cannot finde in their heartes to follow God: but rather shrink away frō him & drawe cleane backe from his law, bicause yt to their seeming, if they should serue God they should neuer thriue. But that is such a shamefull thanklesnesse, as inhaunceth their rebelliousnes a hundredfold more. What is to be done then? Let vs marke well yt we can neuer serue God wt a free & cheerful heart, except we be fully resolued yt he wil prouide for vs al our life long, & not forget vs as is said in the person of Iosua.