A17698:3685
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 after the threatenings, which we have seen here before, he presently addeth that they which so resist God shall be afflicted and tormented, so as men shall spoil them, and they shall be laid open to all violence for ever, and no man shall deliver them. We see here that God serveth his own turn by the wicked, and that although §20their intent be nothing so, yet doeth he apply them to a good use, when he listeth to punish us. Whereas there be thieves and robbers, albeit that they be given over to Satan, yet fail they not to serve Gods purpose; yea truly, for we see in this text that our Lord leaveth them not at random, to rob and to spoil, whether he will or no: but he threateneth his people, saying, They that disobey me, shall be vexed and robbed.§30 And whence proceedeth that? It must needs, come from him.
Nowe after the threatenings, which we haue seene heere before, hee presently addeth that they which so resist God shalbee afflicted and tormented, so as men shall spoyle them, and they shalbee layde open to all vyolence for euer, and no man shall deliuer them. Wee see heere that God serueth his owne turne by the wicked, and that although §20their intent bee nothing so, yet doeth hee apply them to a good vse, when hee listeth to punish vs. Whereas there bee theeues and robbers, albeeit that they bee giuen ouer to Sathan, yet fayle they not to serue Gods purpose; yea truely, for wee see in this text that our Lorde leaueth them not at randon, to robbe and to spoyle, whether hee will or no: but hee threateneth his people, saying, They that disobey mee, shalbee vexed and robbed.§30 And whence proceedeth that? It must needes, come from him.
Now albeit that God suffereth oppressions, robberies, and violence to be done, he can very well condemn them, according as he is righteous, and must needs hate Injustice: yet notwithstanding, by his wonderful wisdom which to us is incomprehensible, he turneth those things to his own service: so that when we have offended him, he must needs punish us by the hand of the most wicked: which is the