A17698:3686
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 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 §40more to our reproach. For if he himself should have punished us, and we saw before our eyes, that he revengeth him of our iniquities, well would we say, seeing that we have offended him, it is good reason that we should come to account for it. But when he stirreth up lewd folk, and despisers of his majesty, and such as are given to all naughtiness, and maketh them our Judges: it is to make us so much the more ashamed.§50 Let us therefore consider, that whencesoever the evil cometh, we have evermore to deal with GOD: and we must think that there is nothing done in this world but by his direction. And thereupon let us enter into the examination of our faults. For it is not enough to know that God ruleth all things: but every one of us must also make his own indictment, and consider that all afflictions and adversities, are tokens of Gods wrath. Now when we speak of his wrath, we must in like wise remember §60his justice; and thereupon conclude that we very well deserve to be punished. But yet he threateneth us before he strike, to the end that we should not stand gaping till the things were come to pass; but rather prevent them aforehand,1 as Saint Paul also doeth admonish us. Whilst God spareth us, let us be advised, so to walk in his fear, that we provoke him not to stir up thieves to torment and vex• us: but that rather (if men attempt such injuries against us) we may stand in his protection, according as he promiseth to uphold all them that walk in his obedience. Then let us see that we do so; and let us remember that which is spoken by the Prophet Isaiah, to wit, that they which have robbed, must be served with the same sauce.2 And that is the cause why violences and extortions do so continue in the world.