A17698:1619
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 now let us come to the stories which Moses toucheth here. He speaketh first of Thaberah, which betokeneth Burning, as I said afore.1 For there the people were chastised with burning, because they murmured at their travelling through the wilderness. O (quoth they,) shall we never come to an end? We do but run up and down here, we be fain to remove our tents from place to place, we be driven to carry our stuff upon our shoulders, and why be we not rather in some place of rest, discharged of such travel? But alas, those wretches considered not that GODS displeasure was to be accomplished, according to his oath, which was that none of them should enter into the promised land. They should have thought, Alas, we deserve to be drowned in the bottom of hell, and GOD is contented to send us a temporal correction. Although he be not minded to bring us into his earthly resting place: yet notwithstanding he giveth us respite to bethink us of our sins, and to sue to him for pardon. For albeit that he make us to feel some rigour, and it behoveth us to bear the marks of his displeasure all our life long by being deprived of the ⟨p. 409⟩inheritance which he had promised us: yet notwithstanding we ought therewithal to acknowledge his goodness, in that he will not have us to perish everlastingly as we well deserve. But they considered none of all this, neither considered they that they were in as happy plight as they could wish. They had the Manna down from heaven, they took no pain to make provision for themselves, they needed no more but to gather it up & to take every man his measure §10of it, they were all fed, yea and that with a good & savourly food. Yet considered they none of all this, but grudged at their overlong journey. And what cause had they so to do? First they were privileged from the curse that was laid upon all mankind. We be set in this world to lead a painful life: & man was ordained to labour even before he had sinned: for it is unkindly that we should be idle & unprofitable. Moreover the travel that God enjoineth us now, serveth §20not only to keep us occupied, but also to lode us, so as we may be enforced to shrink under our burden, & to groan for our sins sake. Now then this people had good cause to submit themselves quietly, when God led them so through the wilderness.