A17698:3733
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.
Again on the other side, if we perceive not the cause why that God is moved to use rigour towards us: let us content our selves, that he §40•noweth the same to be profitable for us: and that if we had not already offended him, yet were we in way to do it: and he hath prevented it: and that all these corrections be to bring us low, to the end that we should walk under him in fear, and that our flesh should not be overlusty, as it is thereunto inclined: for God doeth some times foresee the pride of a man, and then he taketh away the occasions and the objects. Besides this he knoweth that a man will be too §50jolly in his pomps and delights; and therefore he cutteth off the occasion aforehand, whereby the party is letted, so as he cannot do as he would. Seeing that our Lord provideth aforehand for our welfare after such manner, let us think on the faults which we have erst committed. Moreover if there were no further meaning in it, than to exhort us to repentance; even that were much: but we have always to consider, how God cannot too much provoke us §60to come unto him: for every straw is enough to stay us in this world, and in the mean while we have no mind of the heavenly life; or if we think thereon, it is so coldly, that our travelling towards it is not with so earnest affection as it ought to be; and therefore God is fain to deal with us by many afflictions. After this manner ought every of us to behave himself toward him. As touching others, we may not at the first dash condemn them whom God doth punish: but we must remember that which is said in the Psalm; Blessed is the man that deemeth wisely of the afflicted in the day of his trouble.1 But we be wonderful hasty in that point. As soon as we see a poor man in misery and wretchedness, O say we, God plagueth him, and he hath deserved it: we be in that case very rash Judges. If God smite us; after that he hath bestowed many stripes upon us, we will hardly remember that we have sinned: but as concerning others, our tongues be very quick to condemn them. But we should much rather incline to gentleness: as for example, when we see the faithful to suffer, we should think thus:
Againe on the otherside, if wee perceiue not the cause why that God is mooued to vse rigour towardes vs: let vs content our selues, that hee