A17698:4219
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.
For this cause Moses aggravateth here the malice of the people, in that he sayeth, that after God had showed himself so liberal, forthwith §30they became fat, and being become thick, fat, and as is were so brawned that they were ready to burst with grease: they fell immediately to defy the God which had made them, and to mock as the strength of their welfare. Here we be taught to call our selves daily to account for the benefits which God hath bestowed upon us. Wherefore let us beware that we devour not the benefits which we have of God, forgetting them and the giver of them; Nay, let us make them all as notes of remembrance §40to put us in mind how much we be bound and indebted unto him. True it is that we can never bring that to pass, according whereto it is said in the Psalm,1 that if men employ themselves never so much to the considering of Gods gracious gifts, they shall find themselves gravelled, for they be mo than the hairs of our heads. Yet notwithstanding, it behoveth us to do our endeavour to magnify our God, considering how greatly we be bound unto him, and §50how many ways he maketh us to feel his goodness. That is our true study; that is the thing wherein we must exercise our selves all the time of our life. And the chief sacrifice that God requireth of us, is thanksgiving, which is when we honour him with the things that we have received of him, according to this saying of the hundred and sixteenth Psalm.2 What shall I yield unto the Lord for all the good which he hath done unto me? I will take the cup of salvation,§60 and call upon his name. So then let this text be a warning and encouragement to us, to consider better of our Gods benefits that we may fare the better by them. That is one point.
For this cause Moses aggrauateth heere the malice of the people, in that he saieth, that after God had shewed himselfe so liberall, foorthwith §30they became fatte, and being become thicke, fat, and as is were so brawned that they were readie to burst with greace: they fell immediatly to defie the God which had made them, and to mocke as the strength of their welfare. Here wee be taught to call our selues daily to account for the benefits which God hath bestowed vppon vs. Wherefore let vs beware that we deuour not the benefites which wee haue of God, forgetting them and the giuer of them; Nay, let vs make them all as notes of rememberance