A17698:1650
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.
Now to the end that Moses may obtain his request, he beseecheth God expressly to be §40mindful of his servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: and that was by reason of the covenant that he had made with them,1 for in the same covenant there was this article, I will be thy God and the God of thy seed after thee. Ye see here how God took the children of Abraham before they were borne, adopting them to be his Church, and to be inheritors not only of the Land of Canaan, but also of the kingdom of heaven. But how do the children of Abraham behave §50themselves? Lewdly. They falsify their faith unto God and become backsliders, so as they deserve to be cut off from his house. Lord (saith Moses) have not an eye to their faults and offences, but be mindful of thy covenant which thou madest with thy servants Abraham Isaac, and Jacob. Now we see to what purpose Moses allegeth here the holy Patriarchs. It is not to make them Advocates and Patrons before God as the Papists do, who allege these texts to §60prove their own forgeries of having the saints to be their intercessors. What, say they? Is it not written that God should be mindful of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and yet they were dead long afore? Seeing that the fathers used such speech, why should not the saints already deceased be made patrons and advocates, to make intercession for them that are alive? Surely this cometh of too gross beastliness. For they consider not in what manner Moses allegeth these persons. I have told you it afore: for God had promised them that he would be the saviour of their linage, and had given them his promise as a pledge, not only on their own behalf, but also for all their successors. And that is the cause why Jacob at his death or a little before, said, let my name be called upon over Ephraim and Manasseh, for his meaning was to make two tribes of them, notwithstanding that they had both but one head, that is to wit Joseph first of all, & he intended that he should have a double portion. Why so? Jacob was in Egypt, not only as a poor stranger like to have starved for hunger if he had not come thither: but also as a man shaken off in scorn & disdain. It is manifest that the Egyptians shunned the Jews, and accounted them as unclean people.
Nowe to the ende that Moses may obtaine his request, hee beseecheth God expresly to bee