A17698:1725
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.
We have to lay forth more at large, the sentence that was begun yesterday, which is, that here Moses declareth unto the Jews, that all the goodness which they had, proceeded of Gods love, yea even of free love. For his loving of them above all other people was not for that they were worthier, but because it so pleased him. Moreover, he addeth that God took not §10Abraham only, but also all his offspring into his favour, so as his choosing of the people, proceeded thereof. Whereof cometh it then, that the Jews were so preferred before all the rest of the world? If we say it was because they were better than the rest, that is a manifest gainsaying of God, who will have us to acknowledge his only favour & goodness in that behalf. Then let us conclude, that God sought not the cause thereof else where than in himself: But that his will was to lay §20forth the infinite treasures of his mercy, to show that he was not indebted to any creature, but that his bearing of good will towards them, is for that he himself is good, and therefore all things are to be referred to his praise according as the scripture showeth that his choosing of his church in all ages hath been to that end.1 Now we see in effect what this doctrine meaneth.
WEe haue to lay foorth more at large, the sentēce that was begun yesterday, which is, that here Moses declareth vnto the Iewes, that all the goodnesse which they had, proceeded of Gods loue, yea euen of free loue. For his louing of them aboue all other people was not for that they were worthier, but because it so pleased him. Moreouer, he addeth that God tooke not §10Abraham onely, but also all his ofspring into his fauour, so as his choosing of the people, proceeded thereof. Wherof commeth it then, that the Iewes were so preferred before all the rest of the worlde? If we say it was because they were better than the rest, yt is a manifest gainsaying of God, who will haue vs to acknowledge his only fauour & goodnes in that behalfe. Then let vs conclude, yt God sought not the cause thereof els where than in himselfe: But yt his will was to lay §20forth the infinite treasures of his mercy, to shew that he was not indetted to any creature, but that his bearing of good will towardes them, is for yt he himselfe is good, and therfore all things are to be referred to his praise according as the scripture sheweth that his chosing of his church in all ages hath beene to that end.