A17698:3494
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.
Now after that Moses hath named The whole burnt offering, he addeth, Thou shalt offer also the peace offerings unto the Lord thy God. Now before he showed that the peace offerings served for thanks giving, so as if God had delivered his people, if he had given them any victory against their enemies, if he had delivered them from famine or any other calamity; then they sacrificed, in witness that this benefit deserved, not to be forgotten. We see then that Moses aimeth altogether at that which we have already declared: namely, that the people should make an acknowledgement of this benefit unto God after that they were come into the land of Canaan. And whereas Moses saith that it was a Land flowing with milk & honey (as we have already seen afore) it is to the intent that the people should be the more stirred up to give glory unto God, when they see that the land was so fertile, and that God had showed himself so liberal towards them. We know that at this day it is not so fruitful a land, neither was it so fertile before their coming thither, and that is a wonderful thing. And yet notwithstanding the wicked have taken occasion here upon, to blaspheme, as that wicked heretic which was punished here, mocked both Moses and the prophets saying, that when they praised the land of Canaan, they did but fable. Yea but he showeth himself (as all despisers of God & such enraged folk whom Satan possesseth use to do) to scorn Gods benefits which men may see with their eyes. ⟨p. 921⟩Neither considered he, that (as it was showed unto him, notwithstanding that he continued in his wilful stubbornness) God did expressly threaten to sow salt upon that land,1 that is to say, to make it barren: & at this day also men see it desolate & wast. So as it is a dreadful thing to behold, what the state of that country is at this day, in comparison of that it is known to have bin heretofore. For our Lord hath showeth by effect, the which is said in the 107 Psalm:2 namely that when it pleaseth him to bless §10a land with fruitfulness, it shall be fat & full of all manner of fruits; and contrary wise that when he listeth to make it barren, it shall be clean withered. We see this to be true in the land of Canaan.