A17698:4339
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.
Thus we see now whereto this saying tendeth, and that Saint Paul hath applied this text wisely, as whereof two things may be gathered: whereof the one is, that for as much as we see our selves continually given to shroud our selves under hypocrisy, we should always live in fear and wariness: assuring our selves that when we have plaid the beasts never so much, and when we be never so besotted in our sins, we shall have made §30never the better market, but in the end GOD will needs perform that which he speaketh here. For why? He cannot be God but that therewithal he must needs be Judge of the world also. Therefore let us live in awe of him. Secondly we have wherewith to comfort us, in that we see he will avenge us of our enemies; if we endeavour to give our selves wholly unto him, and to keep our selves brooded under his wings; for if we suffer him to guide and govern §40us by his holy spirit, and endeavour to follow his word, the vengeance which is to be feared of all the despisers of his Majesty and of all that strive against his word, shall be turned upon our enemies, and in so doing our Lord will show and confirm the fatherly love which he beareth us. To be short, on the one side this doctrine provoketh us to be afraid to provoke the wrath of our GOD wittingly, for fear least we feel his horrible vengeance.§50 And on the other side it gladdeth and cheereth us, because we see that GOD undertaketh war against our enemies, to revenge our wrongs as if they were done to himself. Now therefore if we will obey Saint Pauls exhortation, we must note that we must not only refer all revenge unto God: but also hold our selves as bridled or imprisoned, and not desire to have GOD to execute all things which we have imagined in our own fancies. For there §60are which will not revenge themselves with their hands, but yet they would have GOD to execute whatsoever they have conceived in their own brain, yea and they do even pray unto GOD to thunder down upon their enemies. But contrariwise we be commanded to pray for the welfare of them that do us harm.1 Then must we not only abstain from revenge, but also pray GOD to forgive our enemies, and to turn them, and to have pity upon them. For if we avenge our selves, how do we leave it to Gods wrath to be avenged?