A17698:241
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.
Moreover the example of Caleb the son of Jephone is very notable, and so is also the example of Joshua the son of Nun. These two are reserved of a great multitude. And why? Because they had gone through stoutly. For this record is yielded to Caleb, that he had persisted [or continued] in following the Lord. Whenas God exempteth here but two men of an infinite multitude: therein we see how it is a folly to look what other men do. For had Caleb and Joshua done so: what had come of it? They had gone to destruction with the rest. But they suffered not themselves to be carried away by that horrible tempest. When they saw so strange a turning back in the whole people: yet did they confirm themselves in the power of God, and although the people would have stoned them,1 (as is declared in the book of numbers, and as shall be touched again anon): yet did they their duty. So then, seeing that God alloweth the constancy of Caleb and Joshua, for that they did shut their eyes when they saw the people so excessively set upon mischief, and exhorted them to obey God: let us note well that although things be out of order in the world, and we see stumbling blocks to overthrow us, and vices rage like a waterflood: yet is it no sufficient cause to suffer our selves to be carried away, or to make us follow the ⟨p. 47⟩common train, for it shall not abate our condemnation before God. We may well say, all the world doth so: for all the world shall perish, and thou with it, which speakest so in contempt of thy God. What a thing is it, that men will needs abolish Gods justice, and give no more ear unto him when they give themselves to all naughtiness, but shut him up in heaven, and suffer him to have no more authority here beneath? Whereto tendeth this? And yet for all §10that, we see nowadays that when the ignorant intend to shroud themselves, the greatest shield that they have is to allege, Howe so? I see that all the world behave themselves contrariwise. And in the mean season what becomes of God? God must be fain to be thrust under foot, and men must run leaping and frisking at their pleasure. Yea and even among our selves, if a man tell one or other of their faults. [their answer is,] I see others are as bad §20as my self.