A17698:1273
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.
Again, to the end that the thing which is set down here may not seem strange: we must mark what manner of people they were of §60whom mention is made here. It is said, Thou shalt destroy the people whom I will deliver into thy hand. Now if it be demanded whereof it came that God would have none of them reserved: Let us have an eye to that which had bin spoken four hundred years afore: namely, The wickedness of the Amorites is not yet come to his full ripeness. 1In the time of Abraham these people were so malicious and spiteful in vexing that holy patriarch, as they refused even to let him have water.2 Not that he went about to borrow any out of their ponds and fountains: but that they would not suffer him to enjoy the wells that he himself had digged in the desert places. He did no wrong to any man, and yet they were so cruel, that they would not suffer him to drink of the water which he had gotten by his own skill and travel. He was hunted from place to place, and yet he had not done any man wrong. Again all the country was full of the contempt of God, all was full of wickedness, robbery, whoredom, and all manner of uncleanness. To be short, God seemed to be asleep in that he punished not those nations which were so given over to all ungodliness and outrage. And if they that grudge at this text had lived in those days: they would have said, how now? God promiseth to do justice, and to take vengeance upon all the despisers of his majesty: but there appeareth no such thing. If he rule the world, and that his providence be above all: how is it that he suffereth so long the wickedness that is in this people? After that manner do the wicked always take occasion to repine at GOD, and to complain of him, and to find fault with his doings. For if he be patient, they say he is careless to punish mens offences and sins. And if he use rigour: they say he exceedeth measure, and that there is no reason in his doings, and that the same hastiness of his, bewrayeth well that there is no mercy nor pity in him. Lo how the wicked folk do blaspheme God every way. But let us on our side go to work with another manner of modesty.
Againe, to the end that the thing which is set downe here may not seeme straunge: wee must marke what maner of people they were of §60