A17698:4288
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.
that is to say, that we must hold us to the measure which God giveth us, and not be inquisitive without end & more than is lawful for us to know, but receive the doctrine which he giveth us, assuring our selves that the same is sufficient for our salvation. Also let us bethink us how it is said in Job,1 that we see the brims of Gods works, but we can never attain to the bottom of them. Therefore whereas the scripture speaketh now and then of some executions which God doeth: although the same may seem to us overrigorous, yet must we bridle our selves and imprison our wits to honour God with such reverence as he deserveth. Let that serve for one point.
that is to say, yt we must hold vs to the measure which God giueth vs, and not be inquisitiue without ende & more than is lawfull for vs to know, but receiue the doctrine which hee giueth vs, assuring our selues that the same is sufficient for our saluation. Also let vs bethinke vs howe it is saide in Iob,1 that we see the brimmes of Gods workes, but we can neuer attaine to the bottome of thē. Therefore whereas the scripture speaketh nowe and then of some executions which God doeth: although the same may seeme to vs ouerrigorous, yet must wee bridle our selues and imprison our wits to honour God with such reuerence as he deserueth. Let that serue for one poynt.
Furthermore as concerning that which is said here of Babes, let us mark that if God listed to rend up the whole world by the roots, he could do it, yea and that right justly. For even from our very birth, we bring nothing but wrath and cursedness. If God take young babes out of the world, yea and damn them: yet is there no rigour in so doing: for we be all forlorn afore hand by nature. In this case therefore it behooveth us to cast down our heads and our eyes, and not presume to stand in contention with God by reasoning the matter with him, nor to control him as though he did wrong or injury to little infants in taking them out of the world. For (as I said) he may not only smite them with death, but also send them to everlasting damnation, because we be all cursed in Adam. Now then, when he hath withdrawn his grace from a whole Nation, and all of them are become reprobates: then must his wrath needs extend as well to the young infants as to their fathers, according to this saying, that God casteth back the wickedness of the fathers,