A17698:293
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.
Furthermore let us mark well, that Gods refusing to hear the cry of the children of Israel, was not to shake them off utterly. And there is not a text better worthy to be noted than this. For it importeth great instruction for all our whole life. I say then that God harkened not to the peoples weeping, and yet notwithstanding that he did not utterly shake them off, nor was altogether deaf to their request. And how may that be? For sometimes God heareth us not to outward appearance, and yet howsoever the case stand our prayers are not unavailable, but do us good.
Furthermore let vs marke well, that Gods refusing to heare the cry of the childrē of Israel, was not to shake them off vtterly. And there is not a text better worthie to be noted than this. For it importeth great instruction for all our whole lyfe. I say then that God harkened not to the peoples weeping, and yet notwithstanding that he did not vtterly shake them off, nor was altogether deafe to their request. And how may that be? For sometimes God heareth vs not to outward appearance, and yet howsoeuer the case stande our prayers are not vnauaileable, but doe vs good.
As for example: When a man hath played the unthrift, GOD plucketh him back, (there are examples enough to be seen thereof commonly:) and when another hath bin given to gluttony and excess: another hath bin a whoremonger or a drunkard, and another hath bin a blasphemer: very well, God seeing men become such beasts, subdueth them by force, he sendeth them afflictions which last not for a day or a month only, but linger upon them a long time: whereupon the one sort take the bridle in their teeth, and chaw upon it with fretting and chasing against God, continue still sturdy and stubborn in their sins: the other sort grant that they have offended, and are sorry for it before God, beseeching him to vouchsafe to moderate his rigour, & to assuage the pains which they endure. And yet in the mean while, their misery abateth not, but they continue at the same stay that they were at before. It should seem then that their prayers are lost, & that God ⟨p. 59⟩