A17698:1631
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.
To be short, let us remember how Moses saith here, Ever since the time that I have known you, you have always bin rebellious against God. And this Rebelliousness whereof he speaketh §50is expressed likewise in this saying that they resisted the mouth of God distrusting him and in countring his will. Now then, if we will know what it is to be rebellious: let us first of all look what God hath spoken. For the thing wherein he intendeth to try us, is whether we be willing to submit our selves simply in all respects to his word, after he hath been so gracious unto us as to teach us. What else is the holy scripture, but an uttering or declaring of Gods §60will? And therefore all that ever is contained there, is as though GOD opened his holy mouth, to tell us what he requireth at our hand. Then if our life be not fully correspondent to Gods word, whereof we make profession: behold, God complaineth of us, and accuseth us of rebelling against his mouth. And there are two parts of this rebelliousness. The one is when we distrust Gods promises, and the other is when we disobey his commandment: & those two be the sum of all that is to be learned in Gods word. When we have tossed and turned over the leaves of all the holy scripture never so much, there are but these two points contained in it: that is to wit, that for as much as God being desirous to be our father and Saviour, openeth us the infinite treasures of his mercy, calling us to him, and setting his free goodness and free love before us: we should believe his promises and rest wholly upon them, saying, Lord seeing thou art so freehearted as to offer thy self thus unto us: behold, we cast all our care upon thee, and hope for all welfare through thy bountifulness. The first thing then which we have to do, is to settle our selves upon Gods promises, when he offereth them unto us. Secondly there is the obedience which God requireth, as if he should say unto us: Go to, I will have ye to live in such wise, as ye obey me and yield me such service, as your coming to me be of your own accord. And here Moses saith that the people were always rebellious against Gods mouth, forasmuch as they obeyed not his commandments, nor trusted to his promises. Now let us look into our selves: where is the faith that we boast of? In deed we can well unough say that we believe the Gospel:
To bee shorte, let vs remember how Moses sayth heere, Euer since the time that I haue knowen you, you haue alwayes bin rebellious against God. And this Rebelliousnesse whereof he speaketh