A17698:4503
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.
By the way, here is an exception taken against §40Aaron, that God tried him in Massa, and that he stood in contention at the waters of strife. True it is that this may be taken as though Aaron's faith had not failed, when God rebuked him. And it is certain, that at that time, in the deed which is reported here, Aaron showed a commendable stoutness: and yet for all that he swerved aside, for God condemned him. The place was named Massa, that is to say, tentation or trial; and after Meriba, which signifieth §50strife, contention, debate. It was the place where the people required water,1 yea and they required it with grudging and repining against God. There Moses & Aaron were as it were overcome: after the sustaining of so many encounters, they wist not what to say or what to do. Ah lord, what shall we do to this people? Now surely there was some faulty infirmity in them, and God who is the competent Judge thereof, declareth that it was so. Ye see then that Moses §60and Aaron overshot themselves, so as they fell: insomuch that they were in very deed banished out of the Land of Canaan: they might not enter into it. God excluded them from it: they saw it a far off, but they might not set their feet in it. And the reason is added expressly, because (sayeth he) ye sanctified me not before the people;2 for there ought to have been a far greater constancy in them than there was. And although Moses and Aaron were sore grieved, and were touched with zeal to the quick when they saw the spiteful dealings of the people, and although they laboured to cause them to honour God: yet were they not courageous enough. This would be counted no fault at all in the judgement of men, as we have seen heretofore: but God looketh more deeply and clearly into things, and we must hold our selves to the things which he telleth us with his own mouth. Ye see then how Moses and Aaron are condemned, and yet was there courage in them. For Moses rebuked the people,3 saying: Come on ye faithless folk, is not God able to make water to come out of this Rock? Yes▪ and that shall you see in despite of you. The people were at that time on a great roar, insomuch that they would even have stoned him. Yet notwithstanding he behaveth him still as Gods proctor to maintain his quarrel,