A17698:227
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.
By the way, the threat that is contained here,§30 importeth not that God was not determined in his own purpose what he would do: for if we should think that he altered his mind upon the advertisement that Moses gave him: it could by no means agree [with his nature.] Should a mortal man have more discretion and forecast than living God? No: and on the other side we know that God doeth in no wise change his purpose. Nevertheless, divers times he uttereth somewhat rough threatenings, to drive us to §40humble our selves before him, and to make us feel what we have deserved. God then in telling Moses that he would utterly root out that people, so as there should not one of them be left alive, meant not that he was determined so to do: but showeth that the people was worthy to have been quite and clean destroyed. And in deed there was just cause why, to the intent that every of them should be smitten down and subdued on his own behalf, and that Moses §50should pray after that manner. And yet for all that, God found the means to make good his promise, notwithstanding the wilful frowardness that was in the people. And this is a point well worthy to be marked among others: that when God hath chosen any people, although his grace be despised, so as all they whom he had called become unworthy of such a benefit, and banish themselves out of his house by rejecting the promise that was offered them: yet will God find §60the means to chastise them in such wise, as his Church shall not utterly perish, yea and he will even overcome mens frowardness with his goodness. I say it is well worthy to be marked. For we see that on the one side, the hypocrites, under colour that God hath manifested himself unto them, and promised to be their Saviour: do surmise that they have him bound, and thereupon take leave to do evil: and if a man show them their sins, they harden themselves against it, there is nothing but pride in them, & they arm themselves with Gods name, to fight against his Prophets. And this have they done in all ages. When the Jews were rebuked for their wicked life, & for their turning away from God: they were inflamed with such rage against the Prophets, as to say, How now?1 To whom speak ye? Are not we the Church? Are not we Gods inheritance? Hath he not set his covenant among us? Have not we the sign of Circumcision?