A17698:4036
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 Moses in so doing doeth make it manifest, that he beareth no envy toward Joshua, as many do, who seek their own renown, and would not that others should do any thing, for fear least their own praise should be stained, and that men should not talk enough of them. Moses had not this cursed ambition, that he should hinder the procurement of the §40peoples welfare by the advancing of Joshua, but as much as in him lay he did put him in authority, yea even to perform a far greater matter than was granted to him self to do. For God told him before,1 that he should not enter into the land that was promised to the people. In deed he saw it: but he was shut out, because he honoured not God, when the people murmured for want of drink. Because he did not then sufficiently glorify God: but §50was troubled and vexed in his mind, he was deprived of that honour, and God did disgrade him in that behalf. And yet for all that, Moses omitted not to take Joshua, and appointed him to be his successor, willing him to do his duty in setting the people in possession of their inheritance. Seeing then that were perceive that Moses did willingly submit himself, let every of us learn to have no respect to himself, nor to vaunt himself, nor to seek our §60own credit in this world, of purpose to be renowned both during our life and after our death: but let us content our selves, that God doeth acknowledge, that we were willing to serve him, so as the Church might feel the profit of our labour, and be edified thereby. When we be at this point; let us refer our selves to our God, and bear no envy to those whom he raiseth up in our steed. For we know, that if GOD do not work continually amongest men, the grace that he hath put into them will quickly vanish; (such is our frailty:) and then all that we have profited shall be nought worth. Is it our desire that GOD should continue that which he hath wrought by us? It is necessary then that he have always people to serve him. Let every one therefore endeavour to discharge his duty without envy, and without spiting: let the master have his honour and preeminence, and let us be cohelpers one to another, and do our endeavour to aid such as we see to be acceptable to God. Thus much is here showed us by the example of Moses.