A17698:1511
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.
Well then, the Jews might have replied at the first blush, If God punish them because of their sins: his putting of us in their place, is a token that he findeth us to be better and righteouser than them. It is not so. For Moses declareth, that Gods choosing of the Jews (as shall be showed more fully hereafter) was not for that they were worthier: for they were much more incorrigible than those nations: and yet did God choose them. Now then, let us learn to profit our selves by all the chastisements which we see, and which God showeth us in this world. And forasmuch as the blows light not upon our selves, let us not forbear to come to his school and to humble our selves unto him. For we have deserved to be touched as roughly by God, as they have done which are damned. But what? As I said afore, he beareth with us. That is the first argument.
Well then, the Iewes might haue replyed at the first blush, If God punish them because of their sinnes: his putting of vs in their place, is a token that hee findeth vs to bee better and righteouser than them. It is not so. For Moses declareth, that Gods choosing of the Iewes (as shalbee shewed more fully hereafter) was not for that they were worthier: for they were much more incorrigible than those nations: and yet did God choose them. Now then, let vs learne to profite our selues by all the chasticementes which wee see, and which God sheweth vs in this worlde. And forasmuch as the blowes light not vppon our selues, let vs not forbeare to come to his schoole and to humble our selues vnto him. For wee haue deserued to bee touched as roughly by God, as they haue done which are damned. But what? As I saide afore, he beareth with vs. That is the first argument.
The second is this: When the Lord shall have driven out the people before thee. Here Moses cutteth off all the fond brags wherewith men deceive themselves. As how? If we had not played the tall fellows in fighting manfully against our enemies, what had become of us? We had strong enemies, they were mighty and puissant, they had huge fortresses and munitions, they were tall of stature like Giants, and we were but dwarfs in comparison of them: and therefore it stood us on band to pluck up a stout courage. Moses wipeth away all this, saying: Ye silly souls, it is your God that fought for you, it was not your selves. So then, let us