A17698:4082
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.
but let us stand silent, when it is said that God doeth well know what shall come to pass upon men, & nevertheless bestoweth not his grace, but upon those whom he listeth. For it is certain that he toucheth with repentance whom he will, but not all. For a great number of the people are far out of square. If we ask how it cometh to pass, that some have continued in the pure religion, & have always served God: undoubtedly it came of a special grace; no man prepared himself to it. As touching the others which have missed, & repented: if it be asked who recovered them; it is not of men that they be converted, it is the special gift of God. We see then how God hath wrought in some, to guide them always in the pureness of his service; and that others have bin received to mercy, albeit that they had offended; & that the same hath not fallen out to all indifferently. We see then that God bestoweth his grace where it seemeth good to himself, and we must not plead against it, to say: And why doth he not deal equally with all, as he doeth with some? Why useth he not like measure? We shall win nothing by pleading so against God. Thus much we have to consider concerning this place.
but let vs stand silent, when it is sayde that God doeth well knowe what shall come to passe vpon men, & neuerthelesse bestoweth not his grace, but vppon those whome he listeth. For it is certaine that hee toucheth with repentance whome hee will, but not al. For a great number of the people are farre out of square. If wee aske howe it commeth to passe, that some haue continued in the pure religion, & haue alwayes serued God: vndoutedly it came of a speciall grace; no man prepared himself to it. As touching the others which haue missed, & repented: if it be asked who recouered them; it is not of men that they bee conuerted, it is the speciall gift of God. We see then how God hath wrought in some, to guyde them alwayes in the purenesse of his seruice; and that others haue bin receiued to mercie, albeit that they had offended; & that the same hath not fallen out to al indifferently. We see then that God bestoweth his grace where it seemeth good to himself, and we must not pleade against it, to say: And why doth hee not deale egally with all, as hee doeth with some? Why vseth he not like measure? We shall winne nothing by pleading so against God. Thus much wee haue to consider concerning this place.