A17698:439
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.
Yet notwithstanding it is not to be doubted, but that herewithall Moses doeth covertly upbraid the children of Reuben & Gad, with their over great hast. And although he accept their §50protestation, and thereupon do grant their request: yet were they not to be commended in that they sought to have their possession so soon in that Country. In deed their pretence was honest: but yet should they have held themselves still under Gods providence, and not have attempted any thing. So then, as we have seen here before, if we will have God to bless us, we must hold our selves simply to his word, without attempting any thing at all, so as we steppe not §60one pace forward to do any thing that he liketh not, ne swerve to the right hand or to the left. But the Rubenites would needs be shifting aforehand, and sought to settle themselves before it was meet for them. They asked not whither it were lawful for them or no: they came not to Moses with submission, saying, let it be considered by general advise whether it be good or no: but they would needs determine the case them selves at the first dash. We have great store of Cattle say they: this Country is fit for us: therefore it is meet that it should be given us in partition. Herein they are not in any wise to be excused. True it is that they were made owners of that fat and fruitful soil: but yet did not God bless them in all points. It had bin better for them, specially for the half tribe of Manasseh, to have been joined with their brethren, than to have had a possession so by themselves. For by that mean they were cut off from the tribe of Judah: & they were bereft of the preeminence of being matched with their brethren the children of Joseph. And therefore if they had tarried with the rest, and waited Gods leisure as they ought to have done: it is certain that they had been blessed much more abundantly than they were, & consequently the others to. We see how the Prophets speak of them:1 The fat Bulls of Bashan (say they) have their eyes stopped with grease. Because they lived at their ease in a fruitful & abundant Country, there was nothing but pride and stubbornness in them. Let us learn therefore to forbear the seeking of our own commodities, and not be selfwilled in seizing upon one thing or other: but let us tarry for the blessing of God. We see how it fell out with Lot: