A17698:4355
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.
As touching this word repent, we must take it as it is taken through out the whole scripture, not that God is changeable, or that he hath any alteration in himself: but that it is so said in respect of us. Moses reporteth that God repented that he had made man:1 which is not to be so understood as though God had not bin well advised at the first what should ensue afterward.§40 For whereof proceedeth repentance in us, but that to our seeming we fore saw not the matter well at the first, and therefore it grieveth us afterward that we were no better advised aforehand? But this can in no wise befall unto God: for all things are present unto him, and he cannot be overseen in any thing whatsoever. Why then sayeth he that he repenteth? (for surely it is a very common manner of speech among the Prophets to say, Repent you of your §50sins,2 and I will repent me of the evil which I had purposed against you, I will discharge you of it saith the Lord) As have said afore, he applieth himself to our understanding. When we see any change or alteration in Gods works, to our seeming he himself also is changeable. Not that he is so in deed, but we be so dull of understanding that we cannot reach to the majesty of God, and we imagine of God after the manner and resemblance of our own nature.§60 Now God applieth himself to us. Howbeit not to bring us a sleep in our own ignorance, or superstition; but to draw us to him leisurely by degrees. That is the cause why he saith he will repent him. Nevertheless the word signifieth properly, to cease from punishing of us, like as when a man hath chastised his child, he is touched with remorse for it, and thereupon is loth to use so great rigour any more, insomuch that he sayeth in the end, I forgive thee and I will forget the evil and the offence which thou hast done: only see that henceforth thou do as I bid thee, and all shall be forgotten. When a father speaketh to his child after that manner, it is as much as if he repented him, because he is touched with a fatherly affection and love that he beareth to his own blood. But God who in goodness excelleth all worldly creatures useth this similitude of Repenting, to show that when he hath chastised us he will withdraw his hand, and not press us to the uttermost.