A17698:237
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.
Let us learn then to hearken to Gods voice while it soundeth in our ears, and let us beware that we harden not our hearts, least God swear in his wrath. For it is said expressly that God sware. And why? Because men think his threats to be vain, if he make them not to perceive that he speaketh in good earnest. And of a trueth we see daily, that when Gods threatenings are uttered unto us, a great many of us do but shake our ears at them, and the number of those that are touched with them, is very small. Therefore the oath that GOD sweareth is no more than needeth, even in respect of the blockishness that is in men, forasmuch as they be so foolish as to make but a mock of every thing that is told them. And like as God to help the weakness of our faith, useth an oath when he confirmeth his promises: so on the contrary part, he useth to swear when he threateneth to punish us. And why? To the end that being afraid and abashed at it, we should come to repentance. For if we be not made to stoop that we may take hold of Gods justice: our faults will never mislike us. ⟨p. 46⟩Gods justice then must become as a thunder or lightning, and we must be abashed before him, that we may no more be so drunken in our sins as we were. And therefore whensoever Gods threatenings do not dismay us sufficiently: let us call to mind the oath that Moses speaks of here, and let us assure our selves that it is we whom the same pointeth at, according to that which I have alleged already both out of the Psalm, and out of the record of the Apostle.
Let vs learne then to hearken to Gods voyce while it soundeth in our eares, and let vs beware that wee harden not our heartes, least God sweare in his wrath. For it is saide expresly that God sware. And whie? Because men thinke his threates to be vaine, if hee make them not to perceiue that hee speaketh in good earnest. And of a trueth we see dayly, that when Gods threatnings are vttered vnto vs, a great many of vs do but shake our eares at them, and the number of those that are touched with them, is verie smal. Therefore the othe that GOD sweareth is no more than needeth, euen in respect of the blockishnesse that is in men, forasmuch as they bee so foolish as to make but a mocke of euerie thing that is tolde them. And like as God to helpe the weakenesse of our faith, vseth an othe when hee confirmeth his promises: so on the contrarie part, hee vseth to sweare when hee threatneth to punishe vs. And why? To the ende that being afraide and abashed at it, wee shoulde come to repentance. For if wee bee not made to stoope that wee may take holde of Gods iustice: our faultes will neuer mislike vs.