A17698:328
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.
Like as yesterday we saw that the children of Israel were commanded to pass by the Country of Edom without doing any wrong to the inhabitants, because there was kindred betwixt them, inasmuch as they descended of Esau Jacobs brother: so now they be willed to pass by the borders of Moab and Ammon, without doing them any hurt or harm, because that they §10also were of kin to them. For the Moabites & Ammonites came of Loth: and God would have the children of Israel to acknowledge it still. And herein we have to note, that here again God tried the obedientnesse of his people. For the children of Israel had languished now a great while already: and although they had been fed by Gods free goodness, inasmuch as Manna was given them daily from heaven: yet notwithstanding if we look upon their travel, the §20time thereof might seem very long to them, & they might have been exceedingly weary of it. Now again God commandeth them to pass on their way, paying for their meat and drink, and not to take any booty nor to seek any profit or advantage, but to go by intreatance notwithstanding that they could have used force. This might have bred a new heartburning among them. Howbeit forasmuch as they had been well tamed with afflictions: they yielded §30themselves the more pliable as was declared yesterday. And therein we see what the fruit of chastisement is. When God hath once pulled down our pride, and taught us to bear his yoke: we can stoop to obey him, and we will make no great a doe of it. But until that time, our neck is so stiff as we can no skill to yield to any right or reason. Ye see then that one point which we have to mark, is that God tried here the obedience of his people, by forbidding §40them to make war upon the Ammonites or Moabites. And here Moses allegeth the self same reason again, which I expounded yesterday entreating of Mount Seir and of the Country of Edom. You shall not provoke the Moabites, saith he. And why? For God will not give you their land to possess. As if he should say, it is not lawful for you to attempt any thing, which God doeth not avow, and give you leave to do. Now it is certain that he will not suffer you to prosper, if you §50assail the Moabites, and therefore forbear them.
LIke as yesterday wee sawe that the children of Israel were commaunded to passe by the Countrie of Edom without doing any wrong to the inhabitantes, bicause there was kinred betwixt them, inasmuch as they descended of Esau Iacobs brother: so nowe they be willed to passe by the borders of Moab and Ammon, without dooing them any hurt or harme, bicause that they