A17698:397
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.
let us assure our selves, that when it pleaseth God to draw men to salvation, he turneth their hearts to make them repent them of their sins, that they may be sorry for them and seek to obey him. After that manner doth God alter the hearts of such as were malicious and froward, and reformeth them to his obedience, yea even when he intendeth to save them. Likewise on the contrary part, when he hath utterly appointed them to destruction: he hardeneth them, so as there is no mean for them to admit any amendment, or to come near it, but they repine against him and his doctrine, whereof they make as it were a deadly poison. Lo after what sort God worketh. True it is that mans natural reason can never well brook his doctrine: but we must submit our selves with such humility in this behalf,1 as we gainsay not the things which the holy scripture teacheth. Again, whereas it is said, that the children of Hely having bin warned, received not correction at their fathers hand: it followeth immediately, because the Lord was purposed to slay them. By the setting down hereof, we see that God gave them not the grace to convert, because he left them in the destruction, wherein they were by nature: And that he so purposed, it was through his rightful justice. Here is no talk of I wot not what permission or sufferance, so as God should play the blinkard, or shut his eyes as these fantastical fellows imagine, which have as much experience in the holy scripture as dogs: but it is said, that Gods will was to have it so. Wherefore let us learn, that when God hardeneth men, it is a sign that he hath delivered them to Satan, as past recovery. True it is that on the one part God serveth his turn by Satan and by wicked men,2 to deceive the unbelievers, according as we see that when it was said, who will be my messenger to deceive Ahab? the divill offereth himself, and God sendeth him. Go (saith God) and overrule thou all his false prophets, and let them be all there to blind this wretch that hath bin so rebellious against me. We see how God serveth his turn by Satan, & that all false prophets are sent by him. But yet should not this prevail: for if men were well disposed, Satan should win nothing by his illusions, and all his wiles should be withstood:3 But it is said that God giveth effectual or workful error: