A17698:3605
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 know that the happiness of this present life, that is to say, such happiness as may be in this world, is for men to have wherewith to maintain themselves quietly, and to be preserved from their enemies. Here God setteth down both the one, and the other: For touching the one he saith, Thou shalt be blessed aswell in the town as also in the field: and shalt be blessed in §20the fruit of thy womb, and in the fruit of thy land, and in the fruit of thy cattle. It is certain that the chief blessing which we can desire of GOD, is in our own persons: that he provide us of such things as are requisite for this transitory life. And that is the cause why he beginneth at our persons, and then cometh to our children, and from thence descendeth to our cattle, to the fruit of the earth, and to all provisions. It seemeth here at the first show §30that God meant to pamper his people, as though he would set them up in a sty, and there cram their bellies, as it were to lay them a sleep at their ease, and to be short, that they should be here as in a Paradise. But I have told you heretofore, that it behoved God to bestow his benefits more largely upon the fathers that lived under the Law, because they could not otherwise be drawn unto him, seeing that the promises of the Eternal life, were yet obscure unto §40them. Howbeit we have to note herewithall, that when God speaketh after this manner, he meaneth not only to give men hope that they shall be blessed in all respects; but also to admonish us, that nothing letteth us from enjoying a sovereign and perfect felicity in this world, whilst we wait for the life of heaven, but only that we be wrapped in vices and corruptions. And so did God thereby mean to train the faithful, that they should think thus with themselves:§50 Let us serve God, and we shall want no manner of thing: And if we be vexed, and have not all our desires, if the earth do not yield such fruitfulness as may content us, or if our cattle prosper not as we would;
We knowe that the happinesse of this present life, that is to say, such happines as may be in this worlde, is for men to haue wherewith to maintaine themselues quietly, and to be preserued from their enemies. Here God setteth downe both the one, and the other: For touching the one he saith, Thou shalt bee blessed aswell in the towne as also in the field: and shalt be blessed in