A17698:3633
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.
& he expressly addeth, The heaven. For what cause? For if he had said, GOD will utter his bountifulness, both from above and from beneath; truly it ought well to have contented us: but yet because of our infirmity, we see how God is fain to express the matter more plainly: as he also showeth that we must come unto him, and look up to the heavens because he calleth us thither, and hath set such order that he will have us to think our selves to be as barren and hungerstaruen folk, until he hath poured his goodness upon us from above.
& he expressely addeth, The heauen. For what cause? For if hee had sayde, GOD will vtter his bountifulnesse, both from aboue and from beneath; truely it ought well to haue contented vs: but yet bycause of our infirmitie, wee see howe God is fayne to expresse the matter more plainely: as hee also sheweth that wee must come vnto him, and looke vp to the heauens bycause hee calleth vs thither, and hath set such order that he will haue vs to thinke our selues to be as barraine and hungerstaruen folke, vntill hee hath powred his goodnesse vpon vs from aboue.
Now having spoken of this good Treasure, he sayeth: He will give rain in dew time, and will bless the work [or labour] of thy hands. By speaking of due season, he showeth unto us that this Gods giving of rain unto us in due time, proceedeth of a special care. For sometimes rain is very hurtful, as we see before our eyes. Whereupon we must conclude, that if GOD had not the power and skill to stay the rain, the fruits of the earth and also the bodies of men should rot. What doeth the rain of it self? It engendereth but rottenness. On the other side we see that the rain refresheth in season, & giveth strength unto the ground, whereby we see that it is the Treasure of God for to give us sustenance. And why is that? Because God knoweth it is good for us, that he cause it to rain. Let us therefore when we see it rain out of season, let us mark how GOD showeth us that it is very requisite for us that he do watch over us, and that no drop of rain fall without his commandment; according to this which we have heard before,1