A17698:4358
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 it behoveth us to mark well the reason that Moses addeth to wit, For he shall see then their strength is faded and weakened. Here it is showed, us that God withdraweth not his hand at the first when he hath once begun to punish such as have shrunk away from his obedience, but §20at such time as he perceiveth that their strength faileth. For why? We set that his corrections draw us not to amendment at the first. In deed we will protest as soon as God toucheth us, that we be clean altered from that we were before. If a man fall into any sickness, he will mourn & make a gay confession of his former life, he will seem to be wholly reformed, & that from thenceforth his whole endeavours shall be to give himself altogether unto God. But be he once a foot §30again▪ he falls to his old by as, and there appeareth no change at all in him: but rather we accomplish that which is said by the Prophet, namely that we return but only while God smiteth us,1 and as soon as he giveth us a little test, we forget it by and by, and make no more account of it. So much the more need therefore have we to mark well these words of Moses, where God tarrieth till our strength vanish away. For as long as we have any courage §40in us, we employ it altogether to rebelling. Although GOD have broken our arms, yet if we can stir our legs, we will be still kicking and spurning against him. If our tongue be able to wag, we will occupy it either in chasing and fuming, or in grudging and blaspheming. To be short, as long as men are strong and lusty, they cease not to strive against God, and to lift up their horns, and to push at him like Bulls and wild beasts. Lo §50at what point we be. Therefore it is no wonder though GOD continue his chastisements, and that we seem to be at the last cast, and that it might well suffice him to have handled us so roughly, yet he layeth misery upon misery still; it is nothing to be wondered at. For why? Until we be washed away like water, and that there remain not one whit of strength in us, it is certain that we will keep some piece of stubbornness still lurking §60within us, which will show it self whensoever occasion is offered. GOD then knoweth good cause why he withdraweth not the afflictions by and by which he sendeth upon us.