A17698:375
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.
Thus doeth it seem in deed to these silly fools, which attribute more to their own brain, than to Gods doctrine, and which by reason of their slender exercise in the holy scripture, are the more presumptuous to judge at all adventure of the things that they know not. But let us look upon that which Moses rehearseth here. The message that he sent to Sehon king of the Amorites, came of GOD, and must not be taken as the message of a mortal man, as I have declared before. But yet is Sehon disposed to receive the message? Or is there any casual uncertainty in this behalf, so as a man might think it might as well not happen as happen? [Nay.] Moses was well assured that Sehon would not obey it: and I enter not yet so far as to discuss whereof that proceeded. It shall be declared in the next Lecture, that God had hardened Sehon's hart, and that it was his will that it should be so. Likewise also it is said in the psalm,1 that God turned away the hearts of such as otherwise had bin the peoples friends, and that he hardened them in such sort, as they could not abide to spare them. But I will not enter yet so far. I treat as now but upon this point, that GOD sendeth messages to men in his own name and authority: which notwithstanding shall not prevail to reclaim them. And why? Because that those to whom he speaketh, are set upon evil aforehand: and there is none other thing to be looked for, but that they shall be the more inflamed and wax worse, at the hearing of Gods commandment. And therefore (as I have said already) although it be not seemly to our human reason: yet must we humble our selves and honour Gods secretes. When we find things contrary to our natural reason, is it meet that we should give liberty to our own wit, to say, Oho▪ I take it to be otherwise, and therefore it must needs be so? Noah: Let GOD rather have the mastery, and let us become fools that we may be wise in him. For at that end must we begin if we will profit well in GODS school.
Thus doeth it seeme in deede to these seelie fooles, which attribute more to their owne braine, than to Gods doctrine, and which by reason of their slender exercise in the holy scripture, are the more presumptuous to iudge at all aduenture of the thinges that they knowe not. But let vs looke vppon that which Moses rehearseth here. The message that hee sent to Sehon king of the Amorrhytes, came of GOD, and must not bee taken as the message of a mortall man, as I haue declared before. But yet is Sehon disposed to receiue the message? Or is there any casuall vncertaintie in this behalfe, so as a man might thinke it might as well not happen as happen? [Nay.] Moses was well assured that Sehon woulde not obey it: and I enter not yet so farre as to discusse whereof that proceeded. It shall bee declared in the nexte Lecture, that God had hardened Sehons hart, and that it was his will that it should be so. Lykewise also it is sayd in the psalme,