A17698:4467
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 Moses declareth expressly that it is for an inheritance to the Church of Israel, to do them to understand that it was not given for a time, but to the intent it should be received from age to age, and that all men should give themselves to it, so as there might be one consent of faith between the fathers and the children, accordingly as it is said thereof in the song of Zechariah, & as the Prophet Malachi also had said thereof afore.1 Let us mark then, that this word Inheritance, or Heritage importeth a perpetuity of Gods word, so as it must not be received alonely by such as live at some one time, and afterward be buried: but the fathers must have a care to make their children agree thereunto after their decease, that all men may obey God and honour him to the end. If a man have goods, he will keep them with great care for his children; and when he dyeth he is well apaid that he leaveth them not unprovided for, but that they may have some inheritance. But in the mean while we consider not which is the principal good thing which ought to be left to those which come after us: which is that they may be partakers of Gods adoption, and accounted among the company of his children. That is the cause why Moses warneth here the people which had bin duly trained up in Gods word, that it served not for them alone, but that God bound th• ̄ to leave the same inheritance in possession to their posterity, and would have his Law to be known continually, & that it should abide from age to age in full force and authority for ever. And therefore whensoever we come to a Sermon; let us understand that our Lord calleth us to him, to the intent that our children should be drawn thither with us.2 And forasmuch as he of his infinite goodness receiveth them afore they be borne, and declareth that he will be their father and Saviour, and putteth them aforehand into the array and company of his, accordingly also as they be baptised in the virtue of that promise: needs must we be worse than unthankful, if we have not a care to teach them, when they come to discretion: and let us assure our selves that this inheritance is often lost through the lewdness of men, or through their carelessness and coldness, so as their children are deprived thereof. We see what is happened to the world.
And Moses declareth expresly that it is for an inheritance to the Church of Israel, to do thē to vnderstand yt it was not giuen for a time, but to the intent it shold be receiued frō age to age, and yt al men shold giue thēselues to it, so as there might be one consent of faith betweene the fathers and the children, accordingly as it is saide thereof in the song of Zacharie, & as the Prophet Malachie also had sayde thereof afore.