A17698:96
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 on the other side it behoveth us to mark well, how Moses sayeth that he is not able to bear so great a charge: for it doth us to wit, that he bewrayeth his own infirmity, or at leastwise showeth it to be such, as he must be fain to bear a lower sail. Thus then the second consideration which we ought to have to correct all ambition and foolish loftiness in us with all, is that we must examine well our own ability, and then shall we find that it were more for our behoof to creep below upon the ground, than to covet to grow great to overrule our neighbours. These (say I) are the two respects that may abate our pride and fond desire of superiority. The one is, that we assure our selves that the higher a man is exalted, the more also is he ⟨p. 14⟩bound both to God and to them over whom he is set, inasmuch as there is no preeminence without burden, yea or rather without bondage as I said afore. Mark that for one point. But we must also bear in mind, that we have no ability at all of our selves, and therefore much less is any man to be found sufficient to bear so great a burden. There cannot so small a charge be committed unto us, but the same is able to make our shoulders shrink, yea and even to §10bow too. For our infirmity is so great, that whosoever sifteth himself throughly without hypocrisy and soothing, shall see that he is able to do as good as nothing at all. Therefore if we think well upon such weakness, it will be as a bridle to restrain us from climbing so high. For what followeth but utter confusion, when men will needs be honoured, and yet in the mean while not discharge their duty, but rather make themselves as Idols, and moreover not §20have any regard at all of their own ability?
And on the other side it behoueth vs to marke well, how Moses sayeth that he is not able to beare so great a charge: for it doth vs to wit, that he bewrayeth his owne infirmitie, or at leastwise sheweth it to be such, as he must be faine to beare a lower sayle. Thus then the second consideration which we ought to haue to correct all ambition and foolish loftinesse in vs with all, is that we must examine well our owne abilitie, and then shal we finde that it were more for our behoofe to creepe belowe vppon the ground, than to couet to growe great to ouerrule our neyghbors. These (say I) are the two respectes that may abate our pryde and fond desire of superioritie. The one is, that we assure our selues that the hygher a man is exalted, the more also is he