A17698:395
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.
But as for our part, to the intent we may be Gods true disciples, let us bridle our wits and hold them as prisoners and captives under the doctrine of the holy scripture: which is, that God holdeth mens hearts in his hand, and turneth them to gentleness when he listeth, as we see he did in Egypt.1 Behold, the Egyptians were full of spite and cruelty, so as they meant nothing else but to have utterly destroyed the people of Israel. But yet in one minute of an hour, and even in the turning of a hand, God wrought in such wise that they were changed. They yielded up all their vessel of gold and silver at the commandment of the people. To be short they ⟨p. 82⟩did more for the children of Israel, than the fathers would have done for their own children. And whereof came this? Even of Gods changing of their hearts when he thought good. Also on the contrary part, God holdeth mens hearts in his hand, to harden them as he listeth. And if this seem strange unto us: let us acknowledge the weakness of our understanding, and let us always first and foremost confess God to be righteous, and therewithal reverence his high §10and deep secretes, sith we cannot attain unto them. Thus ye see what we have to remember in the first place.
But as for our part, to the intent wee may be Gods true disciples, let vs bridle our wittes and hold them as prisoners and captiues vnder the doctrine of the holy scripture: which is, that God holdeth mens hartes in his hand, and turneth them to gentlenesse when hee listeth, as we see he did in Egypt.1 Behold, the Egyptians were ful of spite and crueltie, so as they ment nothing else but to haue vtterly destroyed the people of Israel. But yet in one minute of an houre, and euen in the turning of a hand, God wrought in such wise that they were chaunged. They yeelded vp all their vessell of golde and siluer at the cōmaundemēt of ye people. To be short they ⟨p. 82⟩did more for the children of Israel, than the fathers would haue done for their owne children. And whereof came this? Euen of Gods changing of their hartes when hee thought good. Also on the contrary part, God holdeth mens hartes in his hand, to harden them as he listeth. And if this seeme straunge vnto vs: let vs acknowledge the weakenesse of our vnderstanding, and let vs alwayes first and formost confesse God to bee righteous, and therewithall reuerence his high