A17698:285
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 we see that such as purpose to serve God, do shut §20their eyes against all dangers, insomuch that although all should go to havoc, yet will they not cease to do the thing that is commanded them. Lo here a wilfulness: yea verily, according to the opinion of the flesh: but yet in very deed it is the true hardiness. Why so? Because it hath the good foundation. Heaven and earth are of great weight: and yet is all that huge building grounded upon the only word of God. In what good plight then shall a particular thing §30be, when it is founded upon the same? Thus ye see what we have to gather upon this text, that the people was presumptuous in that they yielded not to God, when he commanded them to sit still.
But wee see that such as purpose to serue God, doe shut §20their eyes against al daungers, insomuch that although all should goe to hauocke, yet will they not cease to doe the thing that is commaunded thē. Lo here a willfulnesse: yea verily, according to the opinion of the flesh: but yet in very deede it is the true hardinesse. Why so? Because it hath the good foundation. Heauen and earth are of great weight: and yet is all that houge building grounded vppon the onely worde of God. In what good plight then shall a particular thing §30be, when it is founded vppon the same? Thus yee see what wee haue to gather vpon this text, that the people was presumptuous in that they yeelded not to God, when hee commaunded them to sit still.
Now, to the end we may know, that when God hath once spoken, they be no threatenings to scar babes withal as they say: he addeth for a conclusion, You went up, and behold, the Ammorrhyte that dwelt on the hill came out before you,§40 and chased you as wasps or Bees do, insomuch that they smote you in mount Seir even unto Horma. Hereby Moses showeth that the people were taught after the manner of fools, that is to say, by their own harm. And good reason it is that when we will not believe Gods single word, we should pay very deer for our experience, and be made to know in spite of our teeth, that he will be steadfast in his purpose, and bring the thing to pass that he hath spoken. And hereby we be