A17698:1226
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 that is done divers ways. But chiefly it is said that we tempt God, when we be too importunate in requiring more than is lawful for us, and when we will needs have further trial of his power and ability than pleaseth him, so as we fall to spiting of him as if we would say, Go to we shall see now whether God be mighty or no: let him do what we will have him to do. When we go to work with such outrage, & have no modesty nor stay of our selves, so as we consider not what is lawful for us, but will needs have God to please us without awe or measure: then do we tempt him. And why so? This word Tempt betokeneth properly to assay or try. See now, God is willing to utter his power, howbeit not at our pleasure: neither were it reason that he should be subject unto us. True it is that he useth this amiable kind of speech,1 that he will do the will of such as fear him. But this will is meant, not of an inordinate lust when men take leave to crave whatsoever cometh in their mind: but of the desire that is subject and conformable to Gods ordinance, so far forth as he giveth us leave. And by that means God is glorified. It is not meant that he will do whatsoever cometh in our head: for that would oftentimes turn to our undoing. As for example, when he gave the people flesh: it had bin much better for them to have died for hunger,2 than to have crammed & glutted themselves after that fashion unsatiably in despite of God. But God performeth our will, when we be obedient unto him, & have respect unto goodness in all our requests, according as S. John exhorteth us to attempt nothing further than pleaseth him.3 If we do so, God will also pleasure us. But if we come malapertly with a lofty countenance, to say I will try whether God can do this or no: [we shall come short of our desires.] What? Is it a convenient fashion of dealing, that we should step forth so to try God, & that we will needs have him to give us proof of his power by making himself subject to us? Is it not a devilish malapertness that carieth us so away? Yes▪ So then, we see now what is signified by this word Tempt, namely a trying of God, as though we doubted of his power or ability, & a repining at him & a charging of him with infirmity when he doth not whatsoever we lust, so as we measure him by the things that we perceive with our eyes. That is the temptation which is forbidden here.