A17698:4166
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.
Hereupon Moses maketh an other complaint more sharp and bitter. Thou foolish people, (saith he) wilt thou needs requite the Lord so? Here Moses toucheth the unthankfulness of the people as it were with his finger, under the word Requite. For he falleth to upbraiding them with the benefits which God had bestowed upon the children of Abraham. But as God is no niggard, so doth he never cast us in the teeth with the benefits which we have received at his hand, unless he be enforced thereto by our abusing of them, for that he seeth them unhallowed1 and defiled by our lewdness, accordingly also as Saint James speaketh thereof, saying that God giveth all things bountifully, and that he is of such liberality, that he never ceaseth to ⟨p. 1112⟩give, yea even without upbraiding. He is not like mortal men which have a certain repining in their giving, or which grudge when a man cometh to them the second time, saying, What? Ought not that which I have done for you already to suffice you? God (saith he) is none such. For the more that we be bound unto him, the more is he willing to increase his gracious gifts daily. Yea, but when he seeth them misbestowed, & that we turn them clean §10contrary to his intent & purpose: then holdeth he his hand, then restraineth he the good that he had done unto us, then blameth he us, and putteth us in mind of them to make us ashamed. And therefore let us look well upon this text [where it is said,] Thou foolish & witless people, doest thou requite thy God thus? Accordingly also as he saith by his Prophet Jeremiah.2 My people what have I done to you, saith he? If thou hast any thing to say against me, allege it, and thou shalt §20find that I have not failed at any time, to give thee cause to follow me and to cleave unto me. For I have poured all good things upon thee, and yet notwithstanding thou hast bin so beastly as to forsake me. Let us mark I say that here Moses speaketh not of Gods common gifts, which he bestoweth upon all men indifferently: but of the special gifts, which the people of Israel had received above all other nations. If GOD list to upbraid all mankind §30