A17698:444
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.
Howbeit to the end that the profitableness of this doctrine may be the better known: let us mark in one word, that it expresseth unto us the power that is in Gods word: namely that it is not a fleeting sound, but that it hath speedy execution, accordingly as we see that when the Prophets threaten the city Jerusalem,1 they say they have besieged it and beaten it down already. And how is that? By dreams and visions. This should seem to be a plain mockery. Yea, but in the end it appeared, that it was not a rolling of their tongues only, but that they should not have had a greater mean or power to raze the City of Jerusalem, though they had had a great host of men. For by what means did the enemies bring it to pass? By virtue of the Prophesies. So on the contrary part, when they speak of making the people to prosper: their manner of speech is, that all impediments are removed,2 and their enemies overcome. And how is that? Because Gods word is vain. So then, let us understand that it is greatly to our profit, to be told that when Gods ministers speak, they cast not forth a fading sound, but such a one as is matched with effect: and therefore let us be edified thereby to our salvation. Sith we know that the remission of sins is not preached unto us in vain: it ought to assure us. Come we to a Sermon? Is Gods grace offered us? Is it told us that Jesus Christ hath made amends for us, to rid us out of the cursedness wherein we were? When we be certified of these things, it is all one as if they were put into our hands. Why so? For when GOD sendeth messengers to tell us his will: he matcheth such force therewithal, as that the effect is joined to the word.
Howbeit to the ende that the profitablenesse of this doctrine may bee the better knowen: let vs marke in one worde, that it expresseth vnto vs the power that is in Gods worde: namely that it is not a fleeting sounde, but that it hath speedy execution, accordingly as we see that when the Prophets threaten the citie Ierusalem,1 they say they haue besieged it and beaten it down alreadie. And howe is that? By dreames and visions. This should seeme to be a plaine mockerie. Yea, but in the ende it appeared, that it was not a rolling of their tongues onely, but that they should not haue had a greater meane or power to rase the Citie of Ierusalem, though they had had a great hoste of men. For by what meanes did the enemies bring it to passe? By vertue of the Prophesies. So on the contrarie parte, when they speake of making the people to prosper: their manner of speeche is, that all impedimentes are remooued,