A17698:3954
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 to the end that this doctrine may be the better understood, let us follow the order which is kept by Moses. When all these things (saith he) be come upon thee, whether is be the blessing or the curse. He setteth the blessing foremost, to show that the end whereat GOD doeth always aim, is to draw us unto him by gentleness, and after a gracious and a loving manner. In deed if he should deal with us according to our kind, he should be rough unto us at the first: but he proveth whether he may win us by fair means, and therefore he doeth always utter his goodness towards us, and maketh us to feel it. That is the cause why Moses saith, Thou shalt first see the blessings, and have experience of them.1 And in that respect also is GOD called gracious, liberal, long suffering, and slow to anger. This word therefore must be well weighed: for Moses showeth what the nature of GOD is toward us, to wit, that he desireth nothing but to handle us gently as a father doeth his children, and that he taketh not any pleasure in dealing with us roughly. Thus much for one point
But to the ende that this doctrine may bee the better vnderstoode, let vs followe the order which is kept by Moses. When all these thinges (saith hee) bee come vppon thee, whether is bee the blessing or the curse. Hee setteth the blessing foremost, to shewe that the ende whereat GOD doeth alwayes ame, is to drawe vs vnto him by gentlenesse, and after a gratious and a louing manner. In deede if hee should deale with vs according to our kinde, hee shoulde bee rough vnto vs at the first: but hee prooueth whether hee may winne vs by faire meanes, and therefore hee doeth alwayes vtter his goodnesse towardes vs, and maketh vs to feele it. That is the cause why Moses saith, Thou shalt first see the blessings, and haue experience of them.1 And in that respect also is GOD called gratious, liberall, long suffering, and slowe to anger. This word therefore must bee well weyed: for Moses sheweth what the nature of GOD is towarde vs, to wit, that hee desireth nothing but to handle vs gentlie as a father doeth his children, and that hee taketh not anie pleasure in dealing with vs roughlie. Thus much for one point