A17698:1369
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.
But yet notwithstanding, when we have well considered all things: [we shall find that] it was not without cause that God commanded his people to root out all the folk that dwelt in the land of Canaan. For he had already born with them a long time, as hath bin declared. Shall we think it strange, that after God had tarried four hundred years for men that were despisers of his majesty, & given to all naughtiness: he should in the end have no more pity upon them, but will them to be utterly wiped out of the world? But such were all those nations. For although they were malicious and froward already in the time of Abraham, and it was apparent that the land was infected with their filthiness: yet did God avow, that their wickedness was not yet come to the full growth. And therefore he delayed his wrath, not for the space of half a ⟨p. 328⟩score years only, but full four hundred years together. He let them alone in ease and rest: and they waxed still worse and worse, and hardened more and more. It seemeth that Gods goodness gave the more liberty to do evil. Therefore it was high time for God to put forth his mighty hand then or never to destroy them, seeing he found them so far past grace. And in deed, we can well skill to desire God to punish the wicked, and it grieveth us that he should bear with them,§10 & if he make delay, we think he is too patient. Again, if he use rigour after his long tarriance: then we cry out that he is too severe, and we ask if he could not deal otherwise than so. To be plain, there is no measure in us. For if God satisfy not our desires, we fall to complaining, one while of his overgreat gentleness, & another while of his overgreat severity. And if he execute not such vengeance at the first dash as we would wish, we think he is a sleep, & that he dissembleth too §20much. And daily we here such murmurings as these: What means he by this? Why doth he forbear so long? Again on the other side, if God come with his power to punish men according to their deserving: then, alas how comes it to pass that God (who reporteth himself to be so patient & pitiful,( doth now show himself so rigorous against us? Yea, but we consider not that while our sins provoke his wrath, & while we stack up wood to kindle the fire of it,1 he allureth §30