A17698:1439
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 here it might be demanded, whether God do not know what we be without trial? Let us mark that it is not to be surmised that God is ignorant of any thing: or that he needeth to try us after the manner of men: but it is the common speech of the holy scripture, to attribute the things to God which are peculiar to men. For if it should speak to us of his majesty according to the worthiness thereof, we should be utterly ravished, and yet know never the more what were said to us. God therefore to utter himself, is fain to descend from his own highness and to transfigure himself, to the end we may know so much of him as is for our behoof. To be short, let us understand that God knoweth what is in mens hearts, though he should let them alone as they be.1 For it is said in the psalm, Shall not he that made the heart know it? Yes: but yet for all that, it behoveth us to be brought to the touchstone. Not that God hath any need of it on his behalf: but it is done for our own sakes. Now then, whereas it is said in this text, that Gods will was to try the people of Israel: let us mark that the meaning thereof is, that God intended to show in deed, and to bewray in trueth what that people was of whom it was his will to have open record and proof, to the end they might not use any odd shifts to keep their naughtiness from discovering. Now then, Gods afflicting of us is not for that he hath any need to sift us narrowly: but because we on our side have need to be so tried. For we see how men believe wondrously well of their own strength. So long as God letteth them alone in rest, they think there is
But here it might bee demaunded, whether God doe not knowe what we be without tryall? Let vs marke that it is not to bee surmised that God is ignorant of any thing: or that he needeth to try vs after the maner of men: but it is the common speach of the holy scripture, to attribute the thinges to God which are peculiar to men. For if it should speake to vs of his maiestie according to the worthinesse thereof, we should bee vtterly rauished, and yet knowe neuer the more what were sayd to vs. God therefore to vtter himselfe, is faine to descend from his owne highnesse and to transfigure himselfe, to the end we may knowe so much of him as is for our behoofe. To be short, let vs vnderstand that God knoweth what is in mēs hearts, though he should let them alone as they bee.1