A17698:1202
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.
For what right have we to the enjoying of them, but that he is our father? And if we honour him not, dare we say we be of the number and company of his children?1 And that is the cause why Saint Paul is so hot against such as return not unto GOD when he spareth them. What mean ye you wretches (saith he?) know ye not that ye abuse the great treasures of Gods goodness? For his dealing so gently with you, is as an alluring of you to repentance. True it is that GOD doth sometimes chastise us sharply, to waken us and to make us know our faults, that we may be sorry for them: But yet for all that, if he deal mildly with us, it is as much to say as he would fain win us by ⟨p. 281⟩friendly means, as hath bin said already. Now if this can bear no sway with us, we show our selves to be too too lewd, and that we despise Gods goodness, yea and that we make but a scorn and mockage of it. And therefore must horrible vengeance hang over our heads, according as S. Paul threateneth in the foresaid place, to all such as abide hard hearted and stubborn in their vices, when God beareth with them. And now let us look to our selves. For although every §10mans state be not so wealthy as he would wish: yet are we handled very gently in respect of others. What remaineth but that our Lord should enter into account with us, if we on our side have no lust to serve him, and that the ease and rest which he giveth us, be not applied to show that we take him for our father indeed, forasmuch as he handleth us as his children? If we (say I) acknowledge not this: then shall not our unthankfulness escape unpunished.
For what right haue wee to the inioying of them, but that hee is our father? And if wee honor him not, dare wee say wee bee of the number and company of his children?1 And that is the cause why Saint Paul is so hotte against such as returne not vnto GOD when hee spareth them. What meane yee you wretches (sayth hee?) know yee not that yee abuse the great treasures of Gods goodnesse? For his dealing so gently with you, is as an alluring of you to repentaunce. True it is that GOD doth sometimes chastise vs sharpely, to waken vs and to make vs knowe our faultes, that wee may bee sory for them: But yet for all that, if hee deale mildely with vs, it is as much to say as he woulde faine winne vs by