A17698:3652
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.
Moreover when he sayeth: If thou wilt obey the voice of the Lord thy God: it serveth to touch us throughly to the quick. For seeing that God vouchsafeth to speak unto us: is it not meet that we should at the least give ear unto him? And if we play the deaf folks, is it not a matter contrary to nature? For if we would not hear our equal, he would take it in disdain, and much more would our superior. And whereas God hath all sovereign dominion over us, and hath done us the favour to deliver us his word, and acquainteth himself familiarly with us, if he find us stubborn against him, disdaining to hear him; is it not meet that he should avenge him of such a contempt? Specially when he seeth such a villainous stateliness in us, which be but worms of the earth. The thing then which we have to remember upon this text, is that here Moses intended to condemn the ungodliness of men that do still continue hardhearted, notwithstanding that God give them the mean to return, by setting his word before them.
Moreouer when hee sayeth: If thou wilt obey the voyce of the Lorde thy God: it serueth to touch vs throughly to the quicke. For seeing that God vouchesafeth to speake vnto vs: is it not meete that wee shoulde at the least giue eare vnto him? And if wee play the deafe folkes, is it not a matter contrary to nature? For if wee woulde not heare our equall, hee woulde take it in disdayne, and much more woulde our superiour. And whereas God hath all soueraigne dominion ouer vs, and hath done vs the fauour to deliuer vs his worde, and acquainteth himselfe familiarly with vs, if hee fynde vs stubborne against him, disdayning to heare him; is it not meete that hee shoulde auenge him of such a contempt? Specially when hee seeth such a villaynous statelynesse in vs, which bee but wormes of the earth. The thing then which wee haue to remember vppon this text, is that heere Moses intended to condemne the vngodlinesse of men that doe still continue hardhearted, notwithstanding that God giue them the meane to returne, by setting his woorde before them.
Now, when he sayeth that these curses shall take hold of us; it behooveth us to remember that which was spoken of here before.