A17698:4281
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.
And whereas it is said that God will heap evil upon them, and shoot out all his arrows against them: let us mark that here Moses meant §50to do us to understand, that God hath mo sorts & means of punishing men than one, insomuch that when they think themselves to be escaped, then are they new to begin again. And this is very worthy to be noted. For we see what the negligence of them is which have done amiss. True it is that if they perceive any token of Gods anger, they will be abashed at it at the first, but if they feel no further than threatenings they shake their ears and make a mock at it.§60 But if God scar them a little; as soon as it is over, they think themselves quite rid of it. As for example, if there be any noise of war, such as have misbehaved themselves and led a wicked and loose life, will begin to shudder at it. But as soon as the same is ceased, they be the same men they were afore. Likewise is it with them concerning famine, and all other afflictions whatsoever. If a man be stricken with a disease and pressed with the hand of God, he will play the holy man for the time▪ but as soon as he is relieved, by and by he begins to set up his bristles lustilier than afore. Ye see then at what point we be. As soon as God withdraws his hand, we bear our selves in hand that we be quite and clean discharged, and that there be no mo means wherewith to punish us. But contrariwise it is said here, that if Gods shooting of one arrow have not wounded us to death, it makes no matter: for he will shoot again, and in the end so deal with us, that we shall find by proof that it had been for our behoof to have considered at the first, that he hath infinite means and incomprehensible to us, wherewith to take vengeance of our sins. That is the cause then why he saith that he will heap up evil upon them, as he will add hereafter; saying: Are not these things laid up in my treasures?1 And there this matter shall be treated of more at large. And by this word Arrow, he betokeneth all the weapons of his wrath, the which he setteth down more particularly by and by after, saying that He will send wild beasts to devour all, he will send Serpents to consume men with their stingings; he will send enemies with the sword abroad; and he will send terror at home.