A17698:1871
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.
In the end, David and Solomon obtained the promise, so as God by their hand did set the §30people in full & perfect liberty, & their kingdom was perfectly stablished, because god had so promised. But we must note, that David and Solomon were a figure of our Lord Jesus Christ: and we be sure that it is long of none but our selves, that God showeth not himself bountiful & liberal to the uttermost. For if we obeyed him according to his commandment; we should want nothing, but we should even in this earthly life feel his drawing of us unto everlasting salvation. And forasmuch §40as he is the fountain of all goodness, he would give us such abundance of all things, that we should have all things at will; and we should pass through this world as through an earthly paradise, and afterward attain to the kingdom of heaven that is prepared for us. Lo how God offereth himself unto us in his law: but yet with condition that we do whatsoever he commandeth us. But we be so far off from doing it, that we drag back from it, and there is not that thought nor that affection §50in us, which is not enemy to God & his righteousness. By reason whereof,1 in stead of the enjoying of his benefits which he hath promised in his Law, he is fain to become our enemy, & to arm himself against us, and to consume us till we be utterly come to nothing. Sometimes he thundereth in such sort, that we be overthrown in the turning of a hand. And whereof cometh that? Even so it must needs be: for (as I said afore) god showeth himself liberal towards us & uttereth his §60great treasures towards us. But what? Our hearts are shut & locked up. And therefore must we needs be bereft of them, and feel the pain thereof; we must be so vexed as we may groan again, & be in such anguish of mind, as we may not wot where to become. Yet notwithstanding, if we be his, he never faileth to mingle some sweetness continually with the corrections that he sendeth us. True it is that he beareth with the wicked, and with such as are utter castaways: but yet in the end he is terrible to them, and dealeth not in such wise with them, as he doth with those whom he intē death to reserve to himself. Although that naturally all of us be disobedient unto him, yet ceaseth he not to have pity upon us: and although we feel sore blows at his hand; yet doth he show us therewithal that he is not minded to root us out utterly.