A17698:3772
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.
Also it is a notable point to be observed, where Moses speaketh of the yoke of iron. For he saith, That the Lord will lay a yoke of iron upon §60the neck of all misbelievers until they be altogether consumed. And that is to the end we should learn to receive the corrections which we hear of, and not kick against them. For we see what befell to Ananias,1 when he mocked at the threatenings of Jeremiah, and came to break the yoke which he had upon his neck, which was a yoke of wood and of cords. The Prophet did wear that yoke, to move the people to consider that they should all become captives, and so to behold their own state in the person of the Prophet. Now this wicked one that was possessed of the devil, (to make the word of God to be naught set by) came to break the bands of Jeremiah, and said, even thus will God break the yoke of Nabuchodonoser: and albeit that he besiege you, and do what he can to carry you away captives into a strange land: yet shall you be preserved by the grace of your God. God threatened, and this fellow mocked all his threatenings: and thereto took the shadow of the name of God to abuse the people. Well then, what wan he by such rebellion? It was said to the Prophet▪ 2Take a yoke of iron: for whereas the bondage should have bin gentle and tolerable▪ it must how be so cruel, as they shall not be able to endure any more. See here how he dealeth with all such as harden their hearts against GOD, and will not abide to be meekened by his hand. Then let us be afraid of this yoke of iron. First of all we know that Gods yoke is amiable unto all such as willingly yield themselves unto it, and suffer them selves to be governed by the hand of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have the testimony of the son of GOD,3 My yoke (saith he) is easy, and my burden is light. Come to me, and learn that I am lowly and meek. Seeing that our Lord Jesus declareth, that they which be teachable and obedient shall perceive that there is neither burden, nor weight, nor grief in his yoke, to overpress them withal: it ought to move us to yield our necks unto it, and to pray God, to put us under it, and also to suffer him to chastise us when we have offended him. In deed the strokes will be grievous unto us, as the Apostle saith,