A17698:446
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.
Furthermore, whereas he sayeth that the children of Manasseh, that is to say the half tribe, together with the whole tribes of Reuben and Gad bound themselves by the promise that is rehearsed in the book of Numeri,1 to go before the Lord that is to say in his presence: it is well worth the marking: for it serveth to express the better, with what loyalty they went §10to it. For if we set not our eye upon God: there will always be some feignedness in our promises, and in all our dealings, so as we shall never go to work soundly and substantially. We know that naturally men are double hearted, and that they paint and disguise their doings, insomuch that if it were possible for them, they would keep no touch in any thing that they promise, longer than it were for their own profit, or at leastwise unless they were driven to it §20for very shame. To be short, there will be no faithfulness in us, except GOD overlook us, and we look up to him in all our doings. And that is the cause why the men that were assigned their possession, did swear to their brethren, even in Gods presence, that GOD might be a witness to punish their lewdness, if there were any guile, feigning, or treachery at all in their case.
Furthermore, whereas hee saieth that the children of Manasses, that is to say the halfe tribe, together with the whole tribes of Ruben and Gad bounde themselues by the promise that is rehearsed in the booke of Numeri,1 to goe before the Lorde that is to say in his presence: it is well woorth the marking: for it serueth to expresse the better, with what loyaltie they went §10to it. For if wee set not our eye vppon God: there will alwayes bee some feynednesse in our promises, and in all our dealings, so as wee shall neuer goe to worke soundly and substantially. Wee knowe that naturally men are double harted, and that they paint and disguise their doings, insomuch that if it were possible for them, they woulde keepe no touch in any thing that they promise, longer than it were for their owne profite, or at leastwise vnlesse they were driuen to it §20