A17698:216
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.
But yet the similitude that Moses useth where he saith, as a father beareth his child: deserveth to be well weighed. Truly if there were no more but this, that God compareth himself with a fleshly father: it were a singular record of infinite and incredible love. What a one is GOD if he be taken in his majesty? Are we worthy to come to him so familiarly? Now then seeing he taketh upon him the person of a man, and a creature, and likeneth himself to them that bear their children: therein we see how he humbleth himself, of good will to accept us in like case as if we were his own children. And what a token of love is that? Now as for us, we be nothing worth: needs then must we acknowledge an inestimable goodness in our God, when he putteth off his majesty, to make himself like a man.
But yet the similitude that Moses vseth where hee sayth, as a father beareth his childe: deserueth to be well weyed. Truely if there were no more but this, that God compareth himselfe with a fleshly father: it were a singular record of infinite and incredible loue. What a one is GOD if he be taken in his maiestie? Are wee worthie to come to him so familiarly? Now then seeing hee taketh vppon him the person of a man, and a creature, and lykeneth himselfe to them that beare their children: therein we see how he humbleth himselfe, of good wil to accept vs in like case as if we were his owne children. And what a token of loue is that? Now as for vs, wee be nothing woorth: needes then must wee acknowledge an inestimable goodnesse in our God, when he putteth off his maiestie, to make himselfe lyke a man.
Nevertheless he contenteth not himself with this similitude only, as we shall see hereafter in the song.1 For there he likeneth himself to an Eagle, which stretcheth out his wings to carry his young ones, and to train them to sore in the air. Seeing that God putteth himself as it were under the shape of a bird, to show us the passing fatherly care that he hath of us: I pray you, ought not we to be ravished with wonderment, when God stoopeth so unto us, to make us perceive the love that he beareth us, and the favour that he meaneth towards us? [yes surely.] For what a majesty importeth this word GOD? And what are the birds and unreasonable creatures? [Nothing.]