A17698:4622
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.
Having spoken after that fashion, he addeth,§50 that Israel shall dwell safely alone by himself. Here Moses had an eye to the state and condition of that people, because God had culled them out, to set them there as in a nest by themselves. True it is that the Country of Jewry was not separated out from all other Countries: but yet had God cast his metelines there,1 as we have seen in the last chapter going afore: and that he had set the bounds and borders thereof, of purpose to harbour that people there. Howsoever the §60case stand, the people of Israel were separated from all other Nations. They had in deed some traffic with their neighbours; but yet had God gathered them together, as who would say, ye shall be purified, that ye may no more live in the corruptions of this world. And that could not be done, but that the rest of the world must have them and shake them off. For when men despise us, we also on our side do disdain them again. The neighbours of the Jews then, desired nothing so much as that the memory of the Jews might have perished. To this state of theirs had Moses a respect in saying, that Israel should dwell safely, though he dwelt alone by himself. As if he should say, In deed it is like enough that ye shall be in peril of many dangers, because our Lord will not have you to be mingled with other nations, but will have ye to be as a little body close knit together: It may well seem that ye should be afraid; but it is enough that your God hath you in his custody: therefore be contented with him and with his aid, and ye shall dwell safely. Furthermore it is not to be doubted but that here Moses meant to give a continuing lesson to the whole Church; which is to think her self safe and well assured of her salvation, although she see not her self fenced in the world, ne to have fortresses, walls, weapons, or any other such things wherein men are wont to trust, but rather is utterly destitute of them all. And why? For we be in the hand of God. Then if we will yield God the honour which he deserveth: when we see nothing here beneath, that may assure our safety; let us learn to go straight unto him, and to make such account of his power, as to conclude that we need not to fear any thing so he be on our side. For if we will have our safeguard here beneath;
Hauing spoken after that fashion, he addeth,