A17698:1588
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.
yet will God of his goodness surmount all their sins, so as his word must needs come to effect. But now had GOD ransomed his people, and the term was fully come wherein they should enjoy his promise: therefore was it of necessity that all these things should be done, and Moses doeth God the honour, to keep him to that which he had said. Now that he is assaulted with grievous temptation, even as though it were cannon shot, he persisteth nevertheless in the same faith, and it is not a faith that flickereth as a shadow, but a faith ⟨p. 398⟩conceived of the word and covenant of God, a faith that should stand fast settled and unmovable. We see how that Moses never obeyed GOD better, than when he withstood the threatening which God made. But yet doeth not this resolve the whole question. For a man might reply: Howe so? Behold, God speaketh continually: why then doeth Moses believe one of his sayings more than other? Again there is an other doubt. Seeing that §10God is unvariable and hath but one single will: why speaketh he otherwise than he had determined in himself? For in so doing he should deal double, which thing we know can in no wise agree with his nature. As touching the first question, let us mark that forasmuch as Moses was governed by the holy Ghost, and was fully persuaded that it behooved him to stick to the promise which was made to Abraham, and therefore gave credit to the same: he considered §20also therewithal, that Gods threatening was just, and that he might justly execute it: for else his praying had been but a mockery. He saw the danger that hung over the people, and was ready to fall upon them. But forasmuch as he thought there was a remedy, though GOD had said, Let me alone: he falleth to intreataunce again. And that serveth to show the heinousness of the offence, and of the fault that had been committed. For such an §30enormity as that was, deserved well the utter destruction of the people. Moses then is so governed by the holy Ghost, that although his will seem contrary to Gods will: yet nevertheless he knoweth what we ought to follow. But it seemeth that Abraham did the clean contrary.1 For God had promised him to bless Isaac, and to raise up a people of his seed, whom he would take to himself. And yet notwithstanding he commandeth Abraham to slay Isaac