A17698:267
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.
Now finally it is said, that the people perceiving their sin, answered: We have offended the Lord, and therefore we be now ready to go up. And they not only used those words: but also every man prepared and armed himself, and so they went up to encounter with their enemies. Here we see the nature of men. When GOD biddeth them be still, they be too too forward, & they be as hot as fire to do the thing that is forbidden §60them. But when they were bidden go, then their legs were broken. And yet notwithstanding it is said, that the people acknowledged their sin, when they had been so disobedient against GOD. Whereby it appeareth that there is such a corruptness in our nature, that even in minding to do good we do evil, and offend God, & overshoot our selves without reason or measure. Here is then a fair looking-glass for us to discern our own vices by: yea verily, so we consider in the person of the Jews, that not only they themselves are condemned, but also that God purposeth to give a general lesson, whereby all men may fare the better. Now I told you first of all, that when God soundeth his trumpet and commandeth us to march, we stir not a whit: and that although we have some good liking of the matter, yet we be so cold and slow, as is pity to see. And on the contrary part, that if he say, Tarry still, we be lusty, and moreover so hot and hasty, that we desire nothing but to occupy both our arms & our legs too. When it was said to the people, Go, for your God is among you, be not afraid so long as ye have such a power to defend you: The people replied again on the other side, nay marry, how shall we go up? They be Giants, they will devour us with their looks, we shall be undone at the first chop, it were better yet to return into Egypt. When the people had replied so, and it was told them again, What mean you thus to distrust your God? He hath given us this land, we have his promise of it: and besides that, you have had proof of his help already many ways, and he offereth it you still: how think you of it, you faithless and rebellious people? When the people were thus laid at: did they yet return to their right wits? Yea, for ye see they repented. What for that? It is but a false repentance.
Nowe finally it is saide, that the people perceiuing their sinne, answered: Wee haue offended the Lorde, and therefore wee bee nowe readie to goe vp. And they not onely vsed those wordes: but also euerie man prepared and armed himselfe, and so they went vp to encounter with their enemies. Heere wee see the nature of men. When GOD biddeth them be stil, they be too too forward, & they be as hot as fire to doe the thing that is forbidden