A17698:2015
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.
Therefore whether it be that God do draw us to him by the great number of benefits which he bestoweth upon us, or that he teach us to fear him by punishing offenders in our presence; all this booteth us not, for we be unthankful, and the time is but lost in doing us good, insomuch that although ⟨p. 521⟩we see how he hath showed himself judge against such as have offended him, yet we think not upon it, but let it slip. Can we cast our eye any where nowadays, but we must needs see a great number of manifest examples, whereby we ought to take warning to live warily and advisedly? We see how whole Nations and Countries are not spared, and we see the like in private persons: all is full of sighing and crying, and it is all one as if God should §10sound a trumpet to the punishing of some offender, that every man might be warned to take example by him. We see these things: but how do we benefit our selves by them? Let us not think then that in this place Moses speaketh but only to the Jews: but let us understand that it was Gods will to show us by them, that even after we know him to be our father and Saviour, and even after he hath poured out the infinite riches of his mercy upon us; §20Yet have we still need to be warned to live in his fear: for otherwise we will turn our backs upon him. Again, when he hath warned us by many examples; that is not enough unless he quicken us up to set our minds upon it, so as we may perceive wherein it was his will that we should fare the better by it.
Therefore whether it bee that God do drawe vs to him by the great number of benefites which he bestoweth vppon vs, or that hee teache vs to feare him by punishing offenders in our presence; al this booteth vs not, for we be vnthankfull, and the time is but lost in doing vs good, insomuch that although ⟨p. 521⟩wee see howe hee hath shewed himselfe iudge against such as haue offended him, yet wee thinke not vppon it, but let it slippe. Can wee cast our eye any where nowadayes, but wee must needes see a great number of manifest examples, whereby wee ought to take warning to liue warely and aduisedly? Wee see howe whole Nations and Countries are not spared, and wee see the like in priuate persons: all is full of sighing and crying, and it is all one as if God should