A17698:3812
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.
Now when Moses hath spoken thus, he addeth §60what they then say. Who shall assure us to see the morning? Howe shall we end the day? When men understand once how frail they be, and with how many perils and miseries they be environed: then have they no more happiness. In deed we can well say, that there is nothing more certain than death, no• any thing more uncertain than the hour thereof: but in the mean while we regard it not, until God do wring us, and drive us thereunto by force. For then they which did bear themselves in hand that their life should last without end: (as we see how men deceive themselves by fancying an immortality in this world, imagining that they shall live a hundred years after they be dead,) [do find the contrary.] And therefore because men are so blockish, God doeth still constrain them to behold present death continually pinching them and holding them at a bay. Thereupon they be in continual fear; and albeit that they utter nothing with their mouths, yet do they say thus in their hearts, Who can assure me to see the morning? To be short, to their thinking, the very earth sinketh under them. And albeit that this doth not always appear, yet notwithstanding the despisers of God do feel that this threatening is not in vain nor without effect. Wherefore let us not linger the time until God do execute such judgement upon us, but let us rather prevent it, by having that same willing fear which is spoken of in this wise:1 Blessed is the man (sayeth Solomon) which feareth in his heart, that is to say, which calleth upon himself, and tarrieth not until God enforce him whether he will or no. When every of us doeth stir up himself, it is the greatest benefit that we can have. Therefore where as the worldlings make themselves dull heads, and wander away after their own vain imaginations, and •ling beyond the moon as they say to the intent to live in peace and rest without feeling of any grief or trouble, whereas they (I say) would thus fall asleep; let us look to our selves, and gather our wits into some fear, and let every of us quicken up himself. And if we do not stir up our selves in this manner, then must God needs torment and vex us, and make us a lively portraiture of that which is mentioned here.
Nowe when Moses hath spoken thus, hee addeth