A17698:374
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.
But by the way it may seem very strange, that GOD doeth send a message of peace unto Sehon, and yet notwithstanding had determined afore hand that it should not avail him. In this case all worldly pride must stoop, and consider Gods manner of dealing towards §40us with such humility, that where our wits cannot reach unto it, we may honour his incomprehensible secretes. And certes it is a text worthy of remembrance when it is said, that GOD (or Moses by Gods authority) sendeth unto Sehon to desire him to suffer the people to pass, gently entreating him and showing him the thing that was for his welfare: and yet notwithstanding that GOD had fully determined aforehand, that Sehon §50should make none account of it, but that he should be discomfited and destroyed. This may seem strange gear to our imagination. When men will needs scan of Gods works and providence according to their own reason: they shall find things to grudge at, every turning of a hand. And that is the cause why venomous tongues rush out nowadays, and are not ashamed to blaspheme God. When there is any talk of Gods secrete ordinance,§60 and of his disposing of things in this world, after a manner unknown to us, so as we shall not comprehend it until we be rid of this flesh of ours: they storm at it, and repine against GOD. And why? Because the same surmounteth their capacity. But if Gods justice be too high for us: ought it to be abased therefore? If his ordinance be above our understanding: should it therefore be hidden from himself, and should it have no authority over us? Yes: And this text is enough to stop the mouths of all such rascals. For one of the common objections that such beasts do make, is this: Howe so? If men had not freewill to take or refuse the thing that GOD sayeth to them, and that the thing it self were not undetermined: it were in vain to preach, or to make exhortations, or to proffer the choice of good and evil: for the matter were dispatched aforehand.
But by the way it may seeme verie straunge, that GOD doeth sende a message of peace vnto Sehon, and yet notwithstanding had determined afore hande that it shoulde not auayle him. In this case all worldly pride must stoope, and consider Gods manner of dealing towardes §40vs with such humilitie, that where our wittes cannot reach vnto it, wee may honour his incomprehensible secretes. And certes it is a text worthie of rememberance when it is saide, that GOD (or Moses by Gods authoritie) sendeth vnto Sehon to desire him to suffer the people to passe, gently intreating him and shewing him the thing that was for his welfare: and yet notwithstanding that GOD had fully determined aforehande, that Sehon