A17698:1699
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.
Here Moses proceedeth with the matter that we have hard these days past, that is to wit, that God had used marvellous favour towards his people, in forgiving them so many and so grievous offences. It was very much that they were received §60to mercy, so as they were not dispossessed of the heritage that God had promised them. Now Moses addeth here an other respect, which serveth to make Gods great and infinite goodness yet better known, & to give it the greater beauty: which is, that he not only forgave the people the faults that they had done, but also received them again with so gentle and friendly conditions, as might set all men in a wonder to think upon it. If a City or a country have rebelled against their prince, so as they have broken their allegiance, although he list not to use extreme rigour by putting all to fire and sword, but be con tented to grant them their lives: yet will he bereave them of all their privileges, he will lay fines and exactions upon them, & he will perchance deprive them of their ancient liberties, so as the wretched souls shall groan under the burden, & have cause to remember their offence a hundred ⟨p. 433⟩years after. But Moses showeth here, that God dealt not so with the Jews. For when he had once pardoned their offence, he dealt with them as if they had never done amiss, & their state was as pleasant & amiable, as if they had obeyed him in all points as became them. And so ye see the intent of Moses in this place.
HEre Moses proceedeth with the matter that we haue hard these dayes past, that is to witte, that God had vsed marueilous fauor towards his people, in forgiuing them so many and so greeuous offences. It was verie much that they were receiued §60to mercy, so as they were not dispossessed of ye heritage that God had promised them. Now Moses addeth here an other respect, which serueth to make Gods great and infinite goodnes yet better knowen, & to giue it the greater beauty: which is, that he not onely forgaue the people the faults that they had done, but also receiued them againe with so gentle and friendly cō ditions, as might set al mē in a wonder to thinke vpon it. If a Citie or a countrie haue rebelled against their prince, so as they haue broken their allegeance, although he list not to vse extreeme rigor by putting all to fire and sworde, but be cō tented to graunt them their liues: yet will he bereaue them of all their priuileges, he wil lay fines and exactions vpon them, & he will perchance depriue them of their ancient liberties, so as the wretched soules shall grone vnder the burden, & haue cause to remember their offence a hundred