A17698:3650
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.
But yet some man will reply again and say: If threatenings make us ready for the promises of God, it seemeth that they should be placed in the first rank, and that the promises should follow them. But the answer to this doubt is: that God will hold us more convicted before him, when he beginneth with us by his §20promises. For we cannot say but that there is a shameful thanklessness in us, seeing that whereas our Lord seeketh only to win us by love, we notwithstanding deal frowardly with him, and draw backward, when he cometh so lovingly towards us. Ye see then how the promises are set before us in the first place, that we might be the better reproved of our frowardness. But hath God showed us that his goodness would not avail us, except he threatened §30us? then doeth he use rigour, and the same rigour doeth profit us, forsomuch as we be touched therewith, and our hearts are daunted. I mean not all; for there be many that take the bridle in their teeth to strive against God: but I mean the faithful. Those are they that be prepared for the promises of God, through threatenings. Afterward God turneth yet again, all allureth them new again with his goodness, as is said afore: in so much that when he §40hath stung them with his threatenings, to tame the stubbornness of their flesh; (as surely it is requisite that God should show some sign of his wrath:) thereupon he setteth before us his mercy, which is the accomplishment of all, to the end (as I have said) that we should learn to yield our selves wholly unto him with a free disposed affection.
But yet some man will reply againe and saye: If threatenings make vs readie for the promises of God, it seemeth that they shoulde bee placed in the first ranke, and that the promises shoulde followe them. But the answere to this dout is: that God will holde vs more conuicted before him, when hee beginneth with vs by his §20promises. For wee cannot say but that there is a shamefull thanklesnes in vs, seeing that wheras our Lorde seeketh onely to winne vs by loue, wee notwithstanding deale frowardly with him, and drawe backewarde, when hee commeth so louingly towardes vs. Yee see then howe the promises are set before vs in the first place, that wee might bee the better reprooued of our frowardnesse. But hath God shewed vs that his goodnesse would not auayle vs, except he threatened