A17698:3503
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.
WE saw yesterday how God meant that the favour which he showed unto the people of Israel should be reknowledged first by solemn sacrifice, & secondly by a monument set up, to the end that it might be known, that this land was not purchased by mans hand or by any power of man, but that it was given of God unto that people for an inheritance. But now we have an other commandment §60whereby God meant to bind the people unto him after an other manner. In deed he had done it already; but because men are so hard to be rooted, and that they can not be bound with too many bands & cords to hold them under obedience; it is not without cause that God would ad further that which is set down here, to keep them the better under obedience. We have already treated that when God gave his law, it was a mutual covenant; and like as he bound himself unto the children of Israel to be their God, so also the people of Israel bound themselves to be his people. But here is yet another confirmation added, to ratify that first bond the better; which is, that God ordained that when they were passed over Jordan, the people should part themselves in twain, and that six tribes should keep themselves upon the mount of Garizim, and the other six tribes should stand upon the hill of Heball right against them, so as the Ark of the covenant and the priests should stand in the middest, and that they which were on the part of Garizim should ⟨p. 923⟩bless & those which were on the side of Hebal should curse. Now this cursing & blessing is referred unto that which we shall see hereafter, which shall be anon touched in this chapter. For God to encourage his people the better, did not only declare unto them his will, & say, You shall walk thus; but also added by & by, you shall not serve me in vain, your pains shall not be lost: for I will cause you to prosper, it is for your own welfare that I would have you to be subject unto me, I seek after §10no profit or advantage thereby, but it is for your own benefit & commodity, that you should cleave unto me, in keeping of my commandments. Lo what blessings God gave, to the intent the people should serve him with a willing mind & not through force or constraint.
WE saw yestarday how God mēt that the fauour which he shewed vnto ye people of Israel shold be reknowledged first by solēn sacrifice, & secondly by a monument set vp, to the ende yt it might be knowen, yt this land was not purchased by mās hand or by any power of man, but that it was giuen of God vnto yt people for an inheritance. But now we haue an other cōmandement