A17698:4640
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.
Again, let us mark also what hath bin declared as touching the punishment that was laid upon Moses: namely that God had shut him out & banished him from the land which was promised to all Abraham's posterity: and that was a very grievous thing to him. But yet did he bear it patiently, acknowledging the fault which he had committed; though it came not of himself. For he had always served God faithfully: yea and in the very selfsame deed, there was no more but this, that it spited him to see the lewdness of the people. Howbeit forasmuch as he was cast down, and stood not so stoutly to it as was requisite; God laid that fault to his charge, and punished it with such rigour as we see, in not admitting him into the land of promise. To be short, let us understand (as I have said afore) that whereas we think we have not done amiss, our offences shall be gross and exceeding great before God. Wherefore let us learn, not to be our own Judges, but to refer ourselves unto God, and to suffer him to acquit us or condemn us by his word. When we shall have done any thing, albeit that our conscience reprove us not, let us assure ourselves that God seeth more clearly than we do, as saith S. John in his canonical Epistle.1 And if we think the fault small, our Lord will account it great. If we should judge after the imagination of men concerning this deed of Moses, what is to be said but that he showed great stoutness? For he resisted the people▪ and used very rough and sharp words. Think ye (saith he) that God is not able to make water to issue out of this Rock?2 See how Moses striveth with them through faith, with obedience to God, and he glorifieth him. To be short, in all his words there is nothing to be seen, which is not worthy praise: and yet notwithstanding he did amiss; and seeing that God pronounceth it so, it is not for us to gainsay it. Therefore let us learn to walk in humility, for fear least it happen unto us according to this saying of Solomon,3 that when we have weighed our ways and thoughts, and that to our own seeming there is nothing amiss, God will not agree to our balance, for he hath another measure, whereby he will judge more uprightly. And we have his word to judge us.