A17698:4209
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.
Yesterday we saw the similitude which Moses brought in to express what goodness and gentleness God used towards the children of Israel: for he dealt with them as when a hen gathereth §30her chickens under her wings. We see then how God doth in such wise utter and make known his infinite power to his children in the preserving of them, that he stoopeth to them, beareth with them in respect of their frailty, and (at a word) maketh himself like a Clock hen. Now it remaineth on our side, that we knowing our own feebleness, should flee unto God, and hide our selves under his wings, that we may there be defended and kept safe. And we §40must not be afraid to peace unto him, for his majesty ought not to be terrible to us any more sith we see he hath made himself familiar with us, & draweth us to him by gentleness. And surely it must needs be that we be destitute of wit and reason, if we go not to seek him: for how shall the little chicken do, if he be not under his dams wing? Much less can we continue without the protection of our God, than little §50chickens can do, if they run not under the wings of their dam which leadeth them. But in the mean while we fare little the better by this lesson. For although we be warned sufficiently of our infirmities, yet do we not cease for all that to be blinded with presumption, insomuch as every of us thinketh to maintain himself well enough. And by that means we hold scorn of the help of our God. Or else we be so full of distrust, that although he call us to him with all the gentleness §60that can be devised: yet we cannot find in our hearts to come to him, but do always stand in doubt of him. And that is the cause why our Lord Jesus Christ findeth fault with the city of Jerusalem,1 that when as he would have gathered her chickens together, she would not. He maketh even a complaint of it in way of lamentation, saying: O Jerusalem Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together, as the Hen stretcheth out her wings to gather her young chickens to her, & thou hast despised that great benefit, thou hast not vouchsafed to shroud thy self under me. I have bin desirous to make thee to feel my power to the maintaining of thee in thine estate. But what? Thou hast bin fain to feel heretofore many chastisements because of thine unthankfulness: