A17698:3613
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.
When a man is desirous to live in peace and concord with his wife, or to have children in ⟨p. 953⟩whom to rejoice; let him understand that all this is in the hand of God, and that it lieth not in our own power nor skill to order our household after our hearts desire. For they that think to compass it by their own power, deceive themselves very much, and commit sacrilege in robbing God of the honour that he hath reserved to himself. It is said that the fruit of the womb is a special gift of God,1 and so is every thing else that pertaineth to household▪ §10According whereunto it is said▪ to be but vanity for a man to build unless God build also with him.2 They therefore that will possess a quiet state for themselves and their children, let them turn unto God, and commit themselves wholly unto him and to his guiding: knowing that there is none other mean, to attain to the same, but by his blessing: so is it also, as concerning cattle, food, and all other things. For we see here was nothing forgotten. And §20God meant to make us to perceive his infinite goodness, in that he declareth that he will deal with our smallest business, which one of our own equals would be loath to meddle withal. If we have a friend, we would be very loath, yea, and ashamed to use his help, unless it were in a matter of some importance. But see here, God goeth into our sheepfolds and into the stalls of our Kine and Oxen, and he goeth into our fields: yea he hath care of all §30things else. For as much then as we see him abase himself so far, ought not we to be ravished to honour him and to magnify his bounty?
When a man is desirous to liue in peace and concorde with his wife, or to haue children in ⟨p. 953⟩whom to reioyce; let him vnderstande that all this is in the hand of God, and that it lyeth not in our owne power nor skill to order our householde after our heartes desire. For they that thinke to compasse it by their owne power, deceiue themselues very much, and commit sacriledge in robbing God of the honour that hee hath reserued to himselfe. It is saide that the fruite of the wombe is a speciall gift of God,