A17698:3634
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 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 namely: That he holdeth the waters above, as it were in bottles. The clouds be dreadful bottles. But the Prophet would have us to consider, that it must needs be a wonderful power whereby the rain is shut up there, or else we should be drowned out of hand: at leastwise it would serve but to rot us, as I have said already. And here by the way we be admonished, as shall be said hereafter, to consider our sins and trespasses: and to think that when God giveth us extraordinary rains, they be as punishments for our offences. Moreover when the rain cometh in season, let us acknowledge that there falleth not one drop but by Gods appointment, assuring our selves that it is necessary for us. That is the cause why Moses did expressly add that saying.
Nowe hauing spoken of this good Treasure, hee sayeth: Hee will giue rayne in dewe time, and will blesse the woorke [or labor] of thy handes. By speaking of due season, hee sheweth vnto vs that this Gods giuing of rayne vnto vs in due time, proceedeth of a speciall care. For sometimes rayne is verie hurtfull, as wee see before our eyes. Whereuppon wee must conclude, that if GOD had not the power and skill to stay the rayne, the fruites of the earth and also the bodyes of men shoulde rotte. What doeth the raine of it selfe? It engendereth but rottennesse. On the otherside wee see that the raine refresheth in season, & giueth strength vnto the grounde, whereby wee see that it is the Treasure of God for to giue vs sustenance. And why is that? Bycause God knoweth it is good for vs, that hee cause it to raine. Let vs therfore when wee see it rayne out of season, let vs marke how GOD sheweth vs that it is verie requisite for vs that he doe watch ouer vs, and that no drop of rayne fall without his commaundement; according to this which we haue heard before,