A17698:1278
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.
Furthermore let us mark generally, that God will not be subject to our surmisings, but he will have us to receive his sayings and doings without scanning of them, and to take all things for good and rightful which come of him, yea even though our reason gainsay it. For we be too fickle headed to judge, and therewithal we be so foolish and rash, that to our own seeming it is lawful for us to allege our opinion, not only to judge of mens doings, but also to give sentence upon the determinations of our God, & upon such execution of them as he doth ordinarily. But contrariwise it is showed us, both in this place & in all others: that it is not for us to advance our selves so high, as to say whatsoever cometh at our tongues end: but we must receive whatsoever cometh from God, without any replying. Doth God them seem cruel? Yet nevertheless let us ⟨p. 305⟩confess that he is righteous, and that he doeth not any thing but in perfect righteousness and equity. Besides this, let us learn also to obey him in all points, by doing the things that he commandeth us, even though they go against our stomachs. Sometimes men may (to their seeming) have honest excuse, not to do the thing that is commanded them. But what for that? It will not discharge them before God: for GOD will be wise for us, and good reason it is that he §10should be so. For what a thing were it if men might allege, Yea Lord, but what will become of such a thing? Such an inconvenience might follow of it. If we fall to scanning after that fashion: is it not as much as if we should say that God was misadvised, and foresaw not all, & that we have a deeper and better settled forecast than his is? And were not that too too devilish a blasphemy? Yes. And therefore let us mark, that to rule our life aright, we must not enter into §20so many countersayings and disputations: but we must understand that our wisdom is to obey God simply.1 When Saul spared the king whom he had overcome, and the Cattle that was fallen into his hands: it seemed to him that he had colour good enough to do it. For his intent was to have led the king in triumph, and that had bin as a spectacle to show Gods goodness towards his people. In deed so was it to Sauls weening. And as for the Cattle, he reserved them to have §30