A17698:2502
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.
And (as we see) was David maintained in his kingdom, any otherwise than by Gods stretching out of his hand to preserve him? The people fell within a while after to rebelling against David, & the example of Absalom showeth that the insurrection was so great,1 that David was forsaken of the most part of his subjects. So then it appeareth that if the people had not bin as good as daunted §30aforehand, the kingdom which God had determined on in his own purpose, had never taken place, neither would they have submitted themselves unto it but by compulsion. But yet behooved it them to obey it. And so by that mean the people were prepared thereto by requiring a king of themselves; & yet they found themselves disappointed of their expectation. For it was not Gods will to stablish the blessed kingdom at the first, whereby the whole world was to have salvation: but he chose a king of the §40tribe of Benjamin, & yet it was said that the sceptre should not depart from the tribe of Judah. Wherefore doth God turn away from that which he had spoken by the mouth of Jacob? This was done not that he is variable, not that he repenteth him; not that he intended not to fulfil that prophecy: but for y• he was not minded to let his blessing appear so soon, because of the peoples seditiousness, in respect whereof, he did it, or at leastwise delayed it till they had acknowledged their fault, & repented them thereof.§50 And this doth show us sufficiently wherefore god in this place reserveth not to himself the choosing of the king which should govern his people: but saith thou shalt require one. It was to the end that his reigning should be of the more authority, & he be the better beloved of his people; so as every man should submit himself to him, & thereby know in very deed, that there was no greater happiness, than to be under that house of David, forasmuch as the same was a shadow & figure of the son of god,§60 who was to bring salvation & full perfection of all good things. In effect we see here two things. The one is that our lord blameth the people for their importunity, in that they would needs be aforehand with him in desiring a king: as if he should say, You will not suffer me to make him: (true it is that I will never forget you, but I will set such order among you, that ye shall have cause to thank me & to rejoice of my goodness.)