A17698:2605
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 it behoveth us to weigh yet better the circumstances that are set down here, namely according to all that thou desiredst at Horeb. God thinks it not enough to say that it came of the Jews themselves to desire a Prophet: but he doth also show that he condescended in all points to their desire. For the Gentler that God showeth himself towards us, and the more he fashioneth himself to our nature: the more are we bound unto him: and if we draw not nigh unto him, surely we be double to blame. We hear how S. Paul saith;1 Brethren, be ye as I am; for I desire not but to be as you are. If a man speak after that manner, shall he not be heard? If God them shall appear in his glory, and shall say: That having pity of us, he will for our sake stoop down & debase himself; and we hereupon remain hard-hearted, & can at no hand bow our selves to obey him: must it not needs follow, that we are utterly void of all sense, and that the devil hath so blinded us, that there is no more natural understanding in us? Yes: For it must needs be a horror to us, not to follow our God when he showeth us such example. Who are we that our GOD should as it were transform himself (as we see he maketh himself both a father and a mother, and a nurse towards us,) and that we on our side should hold scorn to bow any whit unto him? Thus ye see what we have to mark upon this saying, where Moses telleth us that God gave his people all that they had desired of him.
Moreouer it behoueth vs to wey yet better the circumstances that are set downe heere, namely according to all that thou desiredst at Horeb. God thinkes it not ynough to say that it came of the Iewes themselues to desire a Prophet: but he doth also shew that he condescended in al points to their desire. For the Gentler that God sheweth himselfe towards vs, and the more he fashioneth himselfe to our nature: the more are wee bounde vnto him: and if wee drawe not nigh vnto him, surely we bee dubble to blame. We heare how S. Paul saith;1 Brethrē, be ye as I am; for I desire not but to be as you are. If a mā speake after yt maner, shal he not be heard? If God thē shal appeare in his glorie, and shal say: That hauing pitie of vs, he will for our sake stoope downe & debase himselfe; and we hereupon remaine hard-harted, & can at no hand bow our selues to obey him: must it not needs follow, that we are vtterly void of all sense, and yt the diuell hath so blinded vs, that there is no more natural vnderstanding in vs? Yes: For it must needes be a horrour to vs, not to followe our God when he sheweth vs such example. Who are we that our GOD shoulde as it were transforme himselfe (as wee see hee maketh himselfe both a father and a mother, and a nource towards vs,) and that wee on our side shoulde holde skorne to bowe any whit vnto him? Thus yee see what we haue to marke vppon this saying, where Moses telleth vs that God gaue his people all that they had desired of him.