A17698:3955
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.
And on the other side, he meant to do the Jews to understand, that seeing they had had experience as well of the one as of the other, that is to say, as well of Gods favour and of the benefits which he had promised them, as also of his punishments and corrections: the same ought to give them the more light, and confirm them the better in the things which they had heard, and that they had not believed. As for example. ⟨p. 1049⟩The Jews were taught, that if they served God and obeyed him, he would keep them as his flock and have a special care of them, and as it were dandle them in his lap, and bestow all his richesse upon them, and finally deal with them as they could wish: And likewise they were threatened on the contrary side, that if they transgressed the law of God, and were wilful and froward against him, they should be driven to feel his hand against them; and §10like as they had fought against him, so he also would fight against them, Thus ye see how the threatenings are declared unto them as well as the blessings; and they cared neither for the one nor for the other, but played the brute beasts, and took leave to deal wickedly: insomuch that when GOD chastised them, they regarded it not. Nevertheless, in the end it must bring them to consideration of themselves, when they make comparison after this §20manner; As how? God hath verified it unto us, and showed it as it were with his finger that he hath not said in vain unto us, I will bless you if you walk in mine obedience.1 We have perceived it by experience. Again, as touching the threatenings, he hath put them in execution, and we have been blockish for a time, but yet it behooveth us now to consider the matter. Thus ye see how the blessings being joined with the punishments served the better to bring §30back the Jews unto God: and therefore they ought to have touched them the nearer to the quick. And that is the thing which Moses meant in saying, Gods chastising of you when you have done amiss, is not the only way whereby he will instruct you. In deed he will punish you, but that is not the only mean whereby he intendeth to teach you.