A17698:377
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.
Furthermore let us mark, that when we have searched things throughly, we shall find that Gods sending of his word daily unto such as receive it not, and are already condemned afore him: is not without cause. Then is it uncertain to us, that when Gods word is preached, it is to the end to blind the reprobates and such as are uncorrigible: and yet for all that, that it is Gods will to make them unexcusable. For commonly God reserveth that knowledge §20to himself, and when we be sent of him and do preach in his name: we cannot tell whether our labour shall do good or no. He then which is appointed to preach Gods word, knoweth not (when he hath done as he was commanded) whether his preaching shall turn to the salvation or damnation of his hearers. But yet for all that let us labour still, and pray GOD to vouchsafe to give effect to his word, that it may so profit, as the wretched world §30may be plucked back from the destruction whereunto it goeth. That is the mark which we must shoot at, and the thing which we have to do. Nevertheless sometime GOD will show us before our faces, that his word serveth to condemn the hearers, and to bereave them of all excuse. We see it was once said unto Isaiah,1 Go to this people. And what to do? It was in deed to carry them the word of salvation. But yet therewithal it is said unto §40him, Go to harden this peoples hearts, go to stop their ears, go to shut their eyes, and to thicken their hearts, to make them utterly past recovery: for I will not have them convert. Seeing then that the Prophet is sent with such commission, as he knoweth well that those to whom he speaketh, shall but wax the worse for it: in what case is he? But what for that? Yet must he execute his commission with all obedience. It is not for men to enter into counsel,§50 and to take advice in this behalf according to their ability: no, but they must submit themselves to GOD as I said afore. Look what was said to the Prophet, doeth show it self daily in effect. It might put us oftentimes out of patience, to see that the more that Gods word is preached, the more doeth the world rush forth into all licentiousness. For they that conspire among us against GOD and his Gospel: are in comparison far worse than the §60