A17698:3644
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 have seen these other days past, how God entreated his people by promises: now on the contrary part he addeth threatenings. And that is not §50without cause, for we see what slowness is in us, when the case concerneth the submitting of our selves to the obeying of God. Our feet are swift enough to run to evil, as the Prophet Isaiah sayeth, and as it is spoken in the Proverbs,1 but God cannot make us to set forth one steppe, to behave our selves as becometh us: and therefore we must be compelled to it, as of force. Nevertheless, it is certain that God beginneth with gentleness §60and goodness. And that is the cause why he keepeth this order of setting forth his blessings unto them that serve him. He mought very well have begun with threatenings, but he did it not. And why? He trieth to see whether we be apt to be taught, by showing himself fatherly towards us, and by making it to be seen, that he seeketh nothing but our benefit and welfare, prosperity, and quietness.
WE haue seene these other dayes past, howe God entreated his people by promises: nowe on the contrarie part hee addeth threatenings. And that is not §50without cause, for we see what slownesse is in vs, when the case concerneth the submitting of our selues to the obeying of God. Our feete are swifte ynough to runne to euill, as the Prophet Esay sayeth, and as it is spoken in the Prouerbes,1 but God cannot make vs to set foorth one steppe, to behaue our selues as becommeth vs: and therefore wee must bee compelled to it, as of force. Neuerthelesse, it is certaine that God beginneth with gentlenes §60and goodnesse. And that is the cause why hee keepeth this order of setting foorth his blessings vnto them that serue him. Hee mought very well haue begunne with threateninges, but hee did it not. And why? Hee tryeth to see whether wee bee apt to bee taught, by shewing himselfe fatherly towards vs, and by making it to bee seene, that hee seeketh nothing but our benefite and welfare, prosperitie, and quietnesse.
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