A17698:3702
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 we be therewithal warned to live in peace and concord. For seeing that GOD hath associated us and we be intermingled together: we must learn to live in such unity, as our Lord need not to bring strange enemies to chastise our churlishness in resembling cats and dogs. For when men which ought to agree together, do vex one another; it causeth GOD to stir up strangers to be their enemies; because that the nearer that our Lord cometh unto us, the more would he have us given to do good one to another. And if we do the contrary, then must GOD stir up a people to come to spoil us, because we have not lived in peace like brethren, nor knit ourselves together like fingers of one hand. This is the thing which we have to bear in mind touching this text.
Moreouer wee bee therewithall warned to liue in peace and concorde. For seeing that GOD hath associated vs and wee be intermingled together: we must learne to liue in such vnitie, as our Lorde neede not to bring straunge enemies to chastise our churlishnesse in resembling cats and dogs. For when men which ought to agree together, doe vexe one another; it causeth GOD to stirre vp straungers to bee their enemies; because that the neerer that our Lord commeth vnto vs, the more would he haue vs giuen to doe good one to another. And if wee doe the contrarie, then must GOD stirre vp a people to come to spoyle vs, because we haue not liued in peace like brethren, ne knitte ourselues together like fingers of one hande. This is the thing which wee haue to beare in minde touching this text.
Now where he sayeth, And you shall be amazed at the sights which you shall see: it is according to that which was said before;1 namely: that men should be distracted, and grope at noonday, as doeth the blind in the dark. For if we be borne withal so far as to gather and pluck up our spirits to call upon GOD, and to be patient in our afflictions; it is a great grace, and such a one as can not be sufficiently esteemed. But if our Lord encourage us not to repentance, nor give us wherewith to assuage and diminish our sorrows, but all hope is taken away, and we be as folk already forlorn, so as we be besides our wits to see the naked sword continually before us, having no mean of remedy or succour at all: that is a dreadful threatening. Nevertheless it is not sent without cause, considering the hardness of heart which is to be seen in all men. For until GOD have brought us to this straughtednesse, we be altogether blockish, and we have the contrary vice, which is, that we can very well complain when any thing doeth trouble us: yea, and sometimes we lye as beaten down, but yet doeth not that make us to come again to God: for we see how every man taketh the bridle in his teeth, so as they shake off all fear, and never think upon that which is set down here. And so we see how men become blockish. Now our Lord would fain draw them to repentance,