A17698:4141
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 should seem that for as much as Moses was ordained to be the teacher §60of the Jews, he should chiefly have exhorted them to hear the things that were spoken to them for their instruction and welfare. But he seemeth not to vouchsafe to direct his speech to them but rather to heaven and earth, as though he condemned them aforehand for stubborn people, and not of capacity to receive any good learning. Nevertheless his so doing is not for that he would not have the same to serve their turn, that they might benefit themselves thereby: but for that he was fain to quicken them up in such wise, as it might grieve them at the heart, to see that God ⟨p. 1104⟩taketh them for condemned persons aforehand; to the end that the same might touch and move them the better. And so let us mark; that because Moses saw that the people were all prepared, and he meant to teach them to be reformed by that means; it behooved him to use such manner of proceeding. And it is very needful towards those that are stubborn, and unwilling to learn at Gods hand; for such are to be rebuked and threatened; their lewdness it to §10be discovered; and they must be put to shame; that being dismayed, they may advise themselves to return unto God. And this showeth us, that such as have the charge of teaching in the church, ought to be endued with wisdom and discretion. For if their hearers behave themselves mildly, and be willing to be guided by the hand of God: it were no reason to thunder at them or to use roughness against them. But on the contrary part if there appear any hardness §20of heart and stubbornness in them, or if it be found by experience that it is but lost labour to speak gently to them, as when men make them selves deaf: then behoveth it the Preacher to step to them with greater vehemency. And Moses began not his governing of the people at the making of this song, but he had felt the experience of it long time afore, whereby he perceived that it was a very hard thing to bring to pass. And moreover he regarded not only the §30folk then present, but also the ages then to come. True it is that those which lived in the time of Moses, could not but have their ears beaten with the things contained here: but yet was the same to serve for their children also.