A17698:4658
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.
IT was needful that after the death of Moses, the Jews should know the good that God had done them by the means of such a man. For we know that Gods gracious dealings are by and by forgotten, and it is the point wherein §20men do chiefly show their lewdness. For although it be proved to them that God hath helped them, yea even with signs and miracles: yet would they pass it over slightly. In this respect it is said expressly here, that Moses had his liveliness, and all his strength unto the age of a hundred and twenty years. Now we know what is written in his song, in the fourscore and tenth Psalm, That after a man cometh to threescore years,1 there remaineth nothing §30but sorrow pain and grief, and he doeth but linger and pine away. Lo what our life is. Although we have been strong, yet do we decay in the twinkling of an eye, when we once pass threescore years, and it is a great matter for a man to attain thereto, I mean in such strength. But now whereas it is reported that Moses attained to double those years: thereby it appeareth that God strengthened him above the common rate of men. And that was not for §40his own sake only; but to the intent he might be able to sustain the charge that was committed unto him. Had not the people bin unthankful, they should ere that time have been conveyed into the land of promise, and then had Moses gone in with them. But his life was prolonged a great time, because of the lewdness of the people. Here we see a wonderful goodness in God. For seeing that the people (that is to wit, as many of them as were then of discretion §50to know good from evil,) were condemned to die in the wilderness: it had been a great discomfort to them if Moses should have dyed out of hand.2 But God reserveth him: and although he chastise the people, yet notwithstanding he moderateth his rigour. Here then we see in effect, that when God told the people that they should die in the wilderness, he meant not to punish them with such extremity, but that he provided them first of the principal point, which §60was, that they might have a good loadesman: For that is an inestimable treasure. And again we see, how God wrought in Moses by a power that was not common to men;