A17698:39
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.
Seeing then that the law was so well sealed §20and with such majesty: must it not needs be that the people were worse than blocks, when they hearkened not to their God speaking with such force? Yet for all that, the law was despised, & even while God was preparing of his servant Moses to set it forth, behold, the people could not abide to tarry the bringing of Gods will unto them, but made them a Calf of gold, and fell flatly to setting up of new superstitions, even in spite of God, of whose power and favour they §30had so often had experience. Again, when the law was once given, the people trembled & quaked for a while, insomuch that they were enforced to say, if God speak any more unto us we be utterly undone: there is no way with us but death: and therewithal they stood aloof from the mountain, according also as they were commanded. It should seem then that there was some reverence. But the issue showed that all was but hypocrisy, and it appeared well that they were not §40rightly touched in their hearts, nor had taken lively root to profit in the doctrine. We see then in effect, that when God did first of all publish his law, it had very scant & slender hearing, & the people were not yet disposed to submit themselves to it as they should have done. By reason whereof God was fain to return to it again, notwithstanding that the people deserved not that God should cause Moses to serve still in that office. For was it not reason that they which had so despised §50the living God, should thenceforth have ben left destitute of all truth? that the devil might have taken possession of them? that he might have made them stark blind? that they might have starved for want of lively food? and that they should have ben poisoned with all the deceits and errors of Satan? Of a truth, the people were well worthy of such reward. But God had not an eye to the deserts of that wretched people. For he surmounted their sins with his infinite §60goodness, & proceeded in teaching of them still, even when they had showed themselves most stubborn & rebellious, and had matched their unthankfulness with such wilfulness, as there seemed to be no way to come near them to do them good: & yet did God even then use his mercy, and vouchsafed to assay whether the people would suffer themselves to be brought back again or no.