A17698:148
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 we have to note herewithal, that although the promise was then grown old, yet had it not lost his force: neither ceased it to live still, though Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were dead. True it is that the promise which had been made, was not spoken to them that were presently alive at this time: [they to whom it was spoken] that is to wit, Abraham, and the Patriarchs, were all deceased. But Gods promise & his truth die not with men, they have not the course of a transitoritie and flightfull life as we have. Therefore let us mark well, that whereas God had promised the land to Abraham, for him, his heirs, and successors that should descend of his race: although Abraham was rotten in the earth, and they that followed him together with all the Patriarchs were consumed to powder and dust: yet the word that GOD spake continued still, and forewent no whit at all of his force. This (I tell you) is a point which we ought to mark well. For it is now long ago since the Law was given: so that if we have an eye to the oldness thereof, it will seem to us to be an outworn and dead thing. About a two thousand years after that, the Gospel was published to the world: and we see that many years▪ yea many hundred years are passed since. Then if we should measure Gods trueth by time: we might think it to be a thing as good as buried and quite and clean forgotten.
But we haue to note herewithal, that although the promise was then growen olde, yet had it not lost his force: neither ceased it to liue still, though Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob were deade. True it is that the promise which had beene made, was not spoken to them that were presently aliue at this time: [they to whome it was spoken] that is to wit, Abraham, and the Patriarks, were all deceased. But Gods promise & his truth die not with men, they haue not the course of a transitoritie and flightfull life as wee haue. Therefore let vs marke well, that whereas God had promised the lande to Abraham, for him, his heires, and successors that shoulde descende of his race: although Abraham was rotten in the earth, and they that followed him together with all the Patriarks were consumed to powder and dust: yet the worde that GOD spake continued still, and forewent no whit at al of his force. This (I tell you) is a point which wee ought to marke well. For it is nowe long ago since the Lawe was giuen: so that if we haue an eye to the oldenesse thereof, it will seeme to vs to bee an outworne and deade thing. About a two thousand yeares after that, the Gospel was published to the worlde: and wee see that manie yeares yea many hundred yeares are passed since. Then if wee shoulde measure Gods trueth by time: wee might thinke it to bee a thing as good as buried and quite and cleane forgotten.