A17698:398
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.
it is even Saint Pauls own manner of speech.
it is euen Saint Paules owne maner of speach.
Now whereas he termeth it effectual error, it is as much to say as men shall be so sotted, that they shall not be able to discern any more, nor to perceive the deceits, but shall become so brutish, as they shall fling and cast themselves headlong into destruction, and not judge of any thing. It is God that blindeth them so, saith Saint Paul. And why? Because he is minded to overthrow them. Now I have told you already, that sometimes the cause shall not be apparent as it is in that place of Saint Paul, who avoucheth it concerning such as having heard the Gospel, received it not, ne became the better for it, but rejected it, as we see these wretches do nowadays, which trample the doctrine of salvation under their feet, through their ungodliness. And Saint Paul saith it is good reason that God should so blind them, as darkness might reign over them, forasmuch ⟨p. 83⟩as they listed not to receive the light. But sometimes the cause shall be incomprehensible: we shall not perceive why God worketh so; [we shall not discern] why he will have one to perish rather than another. [In that case] let us content our selves with his only goodness, and confess that he is righteous howsoever the world go. Besides this, let us learn to call upon God, that it may please him to turn our hearts to good, so as when he sendeth us the §10message of peace, and offereth us his fatherly goodness, we may not only hear it as the voice of a man: but also be touched with it by him in our hearts. And in so doing, let us not doubt of his mercy, for he witnesseth thereby that he hath pity upon us, and prepareth us, and changeth our hearts,1 to bow them to his obedience. Thus ye see what we have to remember as in respect of this sentence.