A17698:2505
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 howsoever we fare, let us learn to refer all the benefits that GOD giveth us in ⟨p. 647⟩this world, to the spiritual kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ: assuring ourselves that though we had all things else at will, and lived here in never so great pleasure and wealth, and had such governors as demeaned themselves as gently towards us as were possible: all this were nothing unless our Lord Jesus Christ reigned over us, and bare all the sway. On the contrary part, though we be tormented according to the flesh, (as we see a number of people extremely vexed §10with tyranny) and that we have not so much as bread to eat: Yet notwithstanding the blessedness which God sendeth us in that our Lord Jesus Christ reigneth over us, ought to be preferred before all other things, and we ought to take all afflictions patiently, so we may have the comfort of his reign over us. Now the sceptre of our Lord Jesus Christ is not a material sceptre, after the manner of the royal sceptres and crowns which Kings and Princes have had at §20all times: but it is the Gospel, which is the true token of his presence. And we see how he taketh us for his people,1 whereof we have a sure warrant, in that he will have us to be gathered together into the unity of faith by the doctrine of his gospel, and by that mean be made the heritage of God.
But howsoeuer wee fare, let vs learne to referre all the benefites that GOD giueth vs in ⟨p. 647⟩this world, to the spiritual kingdome of our Lord Iesus Christ: assuring ourselues that though we had all thinges else at will, and liued here in neuer so great pleasure and welth, and had such gouerners as demeaned themselues as gently towardes vs as were possible: all this were nothing vnlesse our Lorde Iesus Christ reigned ouer vs, and bare all the swaye. On the contrary parte, though we be tormented according to the flesh, (as we see a number of people extreemely vexed §10with tyranny) and that we haue not so much as bread to eate: Yet notwithstanding the blessednesse which God sendeth vs in that our Lord Iesus Christ reigneth ouer vs, ought to be preferred before all other thinges, and wee ought to take all afflictions patiently, so we may haue the comfort of his reigne ouer vs. Nowe the scepter of our Lorde Iesus Christ is not a materiall scepter, after the manner of the royall scepters and crounes which Kinges and Princes haue had at