A17698:209
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.
Furthermore we must also weigh well this saying which he addeth, namely that God had given them a handsel thereof in Egypt, so as they had good warrant to put their trust in him, and that throughout the wilderness he had ruled them like little babes, and borne them in his arms. Seeing it is so (saith he) that you have had proof of the power of your God in delivering you from the hands of your enemies: and seeing you have also perceived §30his fatherly care towards you, and that not for one day only, but for a long time together: You be too too unthankful if you make not this conclusion, that he will no more fail you hereafter. To be short then, to confirm this people withal, Moses allegeth here the experience of Gods favour which they had had. And although this point hath bin treated of heretofore: yet forasmuch as it is repeated again by Moses: I must needs rehearse it again and §40put you in remembrance thereof: for there is no superfluity in the speech of the holy Ghost. Wherefore let us mark well, that when God putteth us in mind of his former help and grace, his meaning is that we should think well upon the great number of benefits which we have received at his hand. And the same ought to serve us for a warrant, that he will continue to the end. For he is not like mortal men which alter and change their mind: neither is his ability abridged:§50 and to be short, he never ceaseth to do men good: whereas on the other side, if a man have done his friend a pleasure, he will perchance be willing to do as much for him the second time. But if his friend make none end, he will be weary of him. For he may say he is not able to do for all men, and that he hath other friends whom he must do for, as well as for him. Again, we know that men are not constant. But there is no such thing in God, for the more good that §60we receive of him, the readier are his riches for us, and they never diminish. And as for him, he doth not things by fits as creatures do, but he continueth always in one will. There is not so much as any overshadowing in him, as saith Saint James,1 to show that he is always like himself, and keepeth continually at one stay. Thus may we assure our selves of Gods grace for the time to come, by our former experience of his succouring of us at our need heretofore, in that he hath reached us his hand.