A17698:290
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.
As touching the weeping that is spoken of here, it should seem that there was some repentance §30in them before, and that now the same was doubled: and yet notwithstanding it is said that it was but lost time, and that the peoples weeping booted them not at all. This at the first blush might seem contrary to other texts of the holy scripture.1 For it is said that as soon as sinners acknowledge their faults and do but sigh for them, God receiveth them to mercy, yea and even preventeth them. It is said that he tarrieth not till we cry, but that he preventeth §40our crying: or at leastwise that whensoever we pray, he is ready to hear us. But here it seemeth that the people repented, and yet that God letteth them alone, so as they languish still without faring any whit the better for their repentance. As touching the thing that we have seen, it was set down to show us that the people had a false repentance, as men commonly have, soothing themselves through hypocrisy, and bearing themselves on hand §50that they be well sorry for their sins, when there is still some back nook behind, so as they consider not the mischief so deeply as it were meet to be searched. True it is, that God will not suffer us to be plunged in [sorrow for] our sins, so we bethink us of them earnestly: but all our seeking is to cover them, and to forget them quite by our good will. Now then, we have so much the more need to pray God to work so in us, as we may not be §60double hearted to flatter our selves.2 And for the same cause the holy scripture telleth us, that he which knoweth not how hard it is to come to repentance, deceiveth himself.
As touching the weeping that is spoken of here, it should seeme that there was some repentance §30in them before, and that now the same was doubled: and yet notwithstanding it is said that it was but lost time, and that the peoples weeping booted them not at all. This at the first blushe might seeme contrary to other texts of the holy scripture.