A17698:4489
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.
Also it is said, That God will succour Judah against his enemies, and that his hands shall suffice him. This was no more than needed, forsomuch as the kingdom of Judah was to be diminished after the decease of Solomon. And from that time forth, he was to have but one tribe and a half, so as a man would have thought that all that ever had been done in the person of David, had been but a puff. True it is, that when §40David was crowned king, God in one instant showed there so great power, as all men wondered at it. In the time of Saul the people were extremely oppressed, and seemed like to have been altogether swallowed up. But yet there were so excellent victories,1 as it appeared well that God was the author of that change. David not only drave away all those which had possessed any part of the land of Canaan,2 and had subdued the people to their taxes and tributes,§50 whereby he purchased liberty to those of whom he had the charge; but also conquered all his neighbours, and made them tributary unto him. Therefore in that case we see an open miracle of God.3 When Solomon succeeded him, gold and silver were of no more estimation than gravel, as the holy history reporteth thereof. But what? As soon as Rehoboam succeeded, there was a backsliding, so as almost all the people turned back. There was no §60more but the tribe of Judah with a piece of Benjamin, that abode in obedience to the house of David. What was to be said hereupon, but that for aught that men did see, there was very fickle hope to be had, when all passed so slightly away? Besides this, that small kingdom being so diminished, (as whereof remained but a piece) was so assailed on all sides, that it seemed to be as a sheep alone among a dozen wolves. A man then would have thought that God had forgotten his promise. And therefore it was requisite that Moses should ad this for the comfort of the faithful, to the intent they should not be shaken from their faith, when they saw that kingdom so diminished.