A17698:1796
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.
I have told you already, that the things which were spoken as then to the people of Israel,1 do concern us likewise. After what sort have we felt Gods hand? I mean as well those that are Citizens borne, as those that resort hither from strange Countries. Is there any of us that hath not perceived gods wonderful power in his deliverance? For hath not this Town bin as it were appointed to ruin and destruction? Was it not likely that it should utterly have perished, and that there was none other remedy as in respect of the world? Yet hath God reached out his hand after such a fashion, as the world hath seen an incredible alteration. It was as a dream, men would never have thought it: even they themselves that did service in it, were astonished at it afterward. Now then, if this be forgotten, on whom shall we lay the fault? And God hath not only given liberty to those that were in bondage, and drawn them out of the gulf of death at such time as it was looked that all should have gone to havoc: but also vouchsafed to set up his kingdom among them. He hath planted his Gospel here, he hath set up his chair of estate here, here hath he chosen him a sanctuary & a place to dwell in. And as touching them that are come from strange Countries, how hath god reached his hand to them? Were not they also as it were in the gulf of hell, when they were in the cursed popedom? Ye see then how we be gathered here, altogether under the hand of God. And therefore well ought we to esteem this grace, and not only to preach it with our mouths, but also to show throughout all our whole life, that forasmuch as our Lord hath gotten us to him, we be ⟨p. 460⟩willing to be his, & thereupon endeavour to please him in all things. Unless we do so, surely there will be no excuse for us, but that we shall be a hundredfold more blameworthy, than those whom God hath let alone, so as they continue still in their old trade, without finding him so gracious & favourable towards them. Besides this, Gods working in our behalf hath not bin for once & away: but if we look well upon his maintaining of the state which he hath stablished in this city; there hath §10not bin any year wherein he hath not renewed his miracles, & made it appear openly by some notable sign, that he hath had a continual care of us, and that he hath never forsaken us.