A17698:1790
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 seen heretofore how Moses hath told us, that such as have bin witnesses of Gods wonders, are much less to be excused than such as have but only heard the things by report, and have not seen them with their eyes. For when God hath been so gracious unto us as to show us his power to our faces; it must needs be that we be too blockish, if we be not mindful §10thereof. When our children shall but hear of it, it shall become them to be moved at it: & what ought then to be done in the very presentness of the things? Hitherto Moses hath showed after what manner God had dealt with his people through his goodness, for he had behaved himself as an utter enemy to the Realm of Egypt, to show him self to be the saviour of the linage of Abraham. It is a benefit that ought to be very highly esteemed, when God chooseth us after that sort §20to be his: which is not for any worthiness that he findeth in us, but of his own only goodness, in that he vouchsafeth to prefer us before others, so that although we be no better than they, yet he taketh part with us, and fighteth for us at our need. If folk do trouble and torment us, and God be alway ready to succour us; is it not such a bond, as if we keep it not unbroken, the very world may condemn our malicious frowardness? Now after he hath spoken of the wonders that §30were wrought in Egypt, & in the passing of the red sea, he telleth them briefly, that they ought to consider well how God handled them in the wilderness. And under that speech he comprehendeth the thing which we have seen expounded heretofore: that is to wit, both the great number of benefits which they had received at Gods hand, and also his chastisements: for both of them ought to teach us to fear God, & to walk in his ways. If he do us good, it is to draw us to him by gentleness,§40 that we should worship him. And if he correct us for our faults, it is to meeken us, that we may learn to bear his yoke, & to serve him as becometh us. Moses therefore comprehendeth here both twain of them: As if he should say, Seeing that God hath fed you with Manna, without any travel or labour of your own; ought ye not to give your selves all wholly to the serving of him▪ If a mortal man had kept you in his house & maintained you with food & apparel, should ye not be so bound unto him, as §50