A17698:304
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 if our Lord pluck us back, and whereas thing were in good forwardness, and there was good likelihood that all should §40have flourished and bin in great prosperity: if we see a sudden confusion, and that the same continueth afterward, and things go on from worse to worse: let us understand that it is for our sins sakes, & because we have perverted the course of Gods goodness. For he [for his part] never faileth to go forward with the good that he hath begun to do for us: but we cannot abide that he should continue it, we hinder him as much as in us lieth. And therefore is he §50fain to handle us as we deserve.
Furthermore if our Lord plucke vs backe, and wheras thing were in good forewardnesse, and there was good lykelyhoode that all should §40haue florished and bin in great prosperitie: if we see a suddeine confusion, and that the same continueth afterward, and things goe on from worse to worse: let vs vnderstand that it is for our sins sakes, & because wee haue peruerted the course of Gods goodnesse. For he [for his part] neuer fayleth to goe foreward with the good that hee hath begunne to doe for vs: but wee cannot abide that hee should continue it, wee hinder him as much as in vs lyeth. And therefore is he §50faine to handle vs as we deserue.
Besides this, let us assure our selves that when we obey God, then hath he made his corrections available in us. True it is that a great number do harden when God goeth about to subdue them: ye shall see them grow wilful and full of venom against him. But God worketh after such a sort in his chosen, that when he smiteth them with his hand, he doth also touch them inwardly with his holy spirit, so as their harts §60become soft that they may obey, by reason whereof the corrections do them good. Although then that the miseries which we endure are hard and contrary to our nature: yet must we think them good, because God maketh them to serve for our welfare after that fashion.