A17698:3668
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.
yet must we come to a greater reckoning. For it were a needless matter, for GOD to speak of depriving men of their burial, if (as I said even now) he had not a farther meaning in it. Therefore let us so use this doctrine, as we may be provoked to have an eye to the life that is yet hidden from us, and which we look for by faith; and let us not think it shall greatly avail us, when GOD punisheth us not in this world. For it is far better for us to linger here beneath, and to be always in miseries: than to enjoy our ease and delights, and that in the mean while GOD should but tarry for us, to thunder upon us when he hath taken us out of this world. Thus ye see whereto this Text of Moses doeth serve us, where he sayeth, That the birds and beasts, shall eat our carcasses, and that no man shall drive them away.
yet must we come to a greater reckening. For it were a needelesse matter, for GOD to speake of depriuing menne of their buriall, if (as I sayde euen nowe) he had not a farther meaning in it. Therefore lette vs so vse this doctrine, as we may be prouoked to haue an eye to the life that is yet hydden from vs, and which wee looke for by faith; and let vs not thinke it shall greatly auaile vs, when GOD punisheth vs not in this worlde. For it is farre better for vs to linger heere beneath, and to be alwayes in miseries: than to enioye our ease and delightes, and that in the meane whyle GOD should but tarrie for vs, to thunder vppon vs when he hath taken vs out of this worlde. Thus yee see whereto this Texte of Moses doeth serue vs, where he sayeth, That the birdes and beastes, shall eate our carcesses, and that no man shall driue them away.
Now if God give such tokens of his wrath on the bodies that have no feeling: what shall become of the souls, wherein is the very seat of evil, and the kingdom of Satan? For our hands, our feet, our eyes, and our ears, offend not of their own proper moving; but by the direction and provocation of our wicked thoughts and affections. And wherely all those things, or whence proceed they but from our souls? Seeing then that the bodies which were but instruments, do feel the wrath of GOD, and do answer to the same as we see: let us not suppose that the souls go quit. Let us therefore look evermore higher than to this transitory life for to wken us. and to make us to walk in such obedience, that after we have fought against sin, and against Satan, and have been exercised in patience, and in diverse, afflictions in this world, having done our endeavour to serve GOD with all diligence, our souls may be taken up to rest, and that our Lord in likewise may show the self same favour upon our dead bodies. Notwithstanding, this favour and blessedness of having their bodies buried, doth not always happen to the faithful, whereas it falleth ou that many of the wicked are very honourably buried; howbeit that the same is nothing to them, neither is their state any whit bettered thereby. We see what is said in the Psalm concerning them that have faithfully served GOD: