A17698:396
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.
Also we have to note the end for which this was done. God (saith Moses) was determined to destroy Sehon: GOD had already assigned him his judgement: that was the cause why he hardened him. It is not in this text only, that the holy Ghost speaketh so. But when God sendeth his Prophet Isaiah, and telleth him that §20the people shall be hardened and blinded, yea even the more after their hearing of all the matters and warnings that should be given them: he addeth I will have this people blinded, to the end they convert not and I should heal them. As if he should say, this people is not worthy to be pitied at my hand, or to have any mercy showed them: and therefore they must dwell still in their destruction. And that they may do so, I will harden their hearts, stop their ears, and §30blind their eyes, so as they shall be past all amendment. Let us understand, that in so doing God hath always just reason: but yet is it not to be said, that therefore it is lawful for us always to know it. If the reason be apparent to us: it is well, and let us weigh it throughly, acknowledging (as I told you before) that God executeth his just vengeance upon the sinners that have offended him too much, and abused his patience and goodness, But howsoever the case §40stand, if we see no reason at all, let his only will and ordinance suffice us, and let it content us that he knoweth why he dealeth so, though it be not his will to reveal it unto us, at leastwise till the day wherein the things that are now hidden from us,1 shall be discovered unto us. For (as saith Saint Paul) as now we see but in part and darkly. And if we knew that: namely that we be here as in a dark prison, so long §50as we be closed in with our mortal flesh: and again that we be earthly and must be fain to be renewed ere we can comprehend Gods secretes perfectly: it were enough to allay the cackling of such as nowadays blaspheme the doctrine of election, so as they should humble themselves before God, to embrace with all reverence whatsoever is contained in the holy scripture. But do what we can, yet must we pass that way. And therefore when we hear that Gods will was to destroy Sehon, and §60that therefore he hardened him: