A17698:2014
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.
When we hear that Moses warneth the Jews that they turn not away from the right serving of God after his setting of §40them in possession of their inheritance: we may think they were a very malicious people, & right hard to be governed. For what is it that Moses requireth of them? That they should not forget the party that had redeemed them, and afterward given them his law, but that they should hold themselves at a stay, and not defile themselves with the superstitions of the heathen. And they had two things to hold them to the service of §50God. For they ought to have borne in mind after what manner he had delivered them from the bondage of Egypt: and did not such a gracious goodness well deserve that they should have persisted continually in the acknowledging of their redeemer? Again they had very fair looking glasses set before them for example, in that they saw that Gods rooting out of the inhabitants of the Land of Canaan, was a token that he could not away with any of all §60their abominations: and ought not the Jews to have fared the better by their beholding of such examples? But now that we know the naughtiness of that people, let us come to our selves and be well assured that we be not better than they were, but have need of the warning that is given here. And for proof hereof God doth daily renew his gracious goodness towards us. Had we felt his goodness but once i• all our life, it ought to serve us for a bridle to hold us under his obedience. But he ceaseth not to increase his benefits still daily, and yet we forget it in the turning of a hand, and we never think upon it any more, to benefit our selves by it. To be short, it seemeth that all our endeavour is to bury Gods benefits that he bestoweth upon us, that we might have no occasion to honour him. Lo how our unthankfulness betrayeth it self too much on the one side. Yet notwt standing we see how God giveth us sufficient warnings, by chastising others that have done amiss before our eyes, and by sparing us: and ought we not to bethink us better of the judgements which he executeth, after that fashion? Yes: for they be no things done in hudder mudder, there is no more for us to do but to take heed to them. But it should seem that we play the blind buzzards wilfully, and li•• not to know any of the things which are too too apparent and notorious.