A17698:40
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 that is the cause why Moses did not only set forth the Law in Horeb, but also used vehement exhortations therewithal, because he saw the lightness and unconstancy of the people, endeavouring and straining himself by all means to bring them back again unto God.
And that is the cause why Moses did not onely set forth the Law in Horeb, but also vsed vehement exhortations therwithall, because he saw the lightnes and vnconstancy of the people, indeuoring and streining himselfe by all meanes to bring them backe againe vnto God.
Yet notwithstanding, God vouchsafed still, that in the end there should be an abridgement of the law, & that the same should be confirmed as it is contained in this book. And that is the cause why it is entitled Deuteronomy, which is as much to say as the Law repeated. Not that God bringeth in any new thing here: but for that he blameth the people for their foresaid lewdness, showing that his doctrine had ben ill observed, like as when children do not profit well at school, but play the gross Asses, when they have spent a whole year and are never the further forward, they must be fain to return again to their Apcie. And why? For notwithstanding that they have heard their schoolmaster, yet they be as ignorant as they were before, insomuch that instead of learning any thing, a man shall see them continue still always at one stay. So then, our Lord upbraideth the people of Israel with their brutish dullness, in repeating his law unto them the second time. As if he should say, Ye be very ill scholars: for I have trained you sufficiently in my Law. The doctrine comprehended in the ten commandments containeth the full perfection of all wisdom. Yet hath not all this been enough for you, because ye have no ears at all, or else they be too long, so that of all this while nothing is entered into your harts, or rather ye have not heard what I said unto you. And therefore you must be fain to turn back again to your first lesson, and to your Apcie: I must be fain to open my Law again unto you, and to chaw your meat unto you, that you may digest it the better. And because ye be so dull upon the spur, I must be fain to prick you forward, and to use greater force to waken you, that the hardness of heart which I see in you may be amended.