A17698:4570
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, as touching the tribe of Issachar, we have to note that if it please God to bereave us of any earthly benefits for our imperfections sakes, we must not be grieved out of measure therefore; but patiently bear the yoke, contenting our selves with this, that God in the mean season turneth the things to a good §50end unto us, which of themselves were as a record that he rejecteth us; and that he maketh them to serve as furtherances of our salvation. As for example, it falleth out that some folk have some peculiar fault in them; as we see how some be gross-witted, so as they set not their minds upon a great sort of things which might be good and convenient for them: Others are fainthearted and reckless, and other some, although they spare not them selves, yet have §60they some other fault which is a let to them that they cannot throughly seek their own profit & commodity. Well, our Lord also bereaveth them of many things which he giveth to others that take pains, & his hand is stretched out to bless the labours of such as are painful & employ their wits about it. It may well be then that our Lord will punish those reckless folk with the want of some earthly commodities, for not doing their endeavour as they ought to do. But yet doth it not follow that he taketh them not for his children still, although he make them feel some temporal chastisement, which he causeth also to serve to their soul health. They shall then receive chastisement for their infirmities, but yet shall they not cease to be Gods children still. That is the thing which we have to gather where it is said of the tribe of Issachar, that through his cowardliness he shall keep home, and bow down his shoulders to receive the great burdens, tributes, & taxes that men lay upon him, making no reckoning at all of them. Well: and doth God see such recklessness in them? He suffereth them to smart for it to the worldwarde; but yet howsoever they fare, he telleth them that he will not cease to be merciful to them. Rejoice thou (saith he) in thy Tents. We see now more clearly the thing that I said afore; namely that Moses intended not to flatter Issachar in the thing for which he was to be condemned, that is to wit, for the cowardliness whereof I have made mention.
Furthermore, as touching the trybe of Isachar, wee haue to note that if it please God to bereaue vs of any earthly benefites for our imperfections sakes, we must not be greeued out of measure therefore; but paciently beare the yoke, contenting our selues with this, that God in the meane season turneth ye things to a good