A17698:4675
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.
Now it is said in the end, That the children of Israel obeyed Joshua, and that they did according to that which God had commanded by Moses. Here in the first place we see, that among the gifts of the holy Ghost Authority is one, accordingly also as the holy scripture maketh mention thereof in other places. Put the case that a man were as fit and meet to govern as were possible; yet notwithstanding he shall be of no authority or reputation, except God set him in authority, & give him as it were a mark to the end that men may stand in awe of him, and stick to him, and receive the doctrine which he bringeth. Then is it a special gift of God; and on the other side we see that men are despised and unregarded unless our Lord do so avow them, and make folk to embrace them, and enable them to perform their charge, and to acquit themselves thereof. That is the cause why it is added expressly here, that the children of Israel obeyed Joshua. It is not only said that he received the gifts that were necessary for his office; but also did therewithal gird him with the sword, according as it is said in Job,1 that when he will have a man to be honoured, it is like as if he gave him a sword. And contrariwise when he will have a man to be despised, it is all one as if he ⟨p. 1246⟩took the sword girdle from him. God then did set Joshua after that manner in honour, and it behoved the people to obey him. Now we know the pride that is in all men, and we know that the people of Israel were given to rebelling above all other people. Therefore God was driven to hold them in awe, that Joshua might reign over them, not in way of tyranny, but to discharge himself of his duty. That is the thing in effect which we have to remember.
Nowe it is sayde in the ende, That the children of Israell obeyed Iosua, and that they did according to that which God had commaunded by Moses. Heere in the first place we see, that among the giftes of the holy Ghost Authoritie is one, accordingly also as the holy scripture maketh mention therof in other places. Put the case that a man were as fit and meete to gouerne as were possible; yet notwithstanding hee shalbe of no authoritie or reputation, except God set him in authoritie, & giue him as it were a marke to the end that men may stande in awe of him, and sticke to him, and receiue the doctrine which he bringeth. Then is it a speciall gift of God; and on the other side we see that men are despised and vnregarded vnlesse our Lorde doe so auowe them, and make folke to imbrace them, and inable them to performe their charge, and to acquit themselues thereof. That is the cause why it is added expresly heere, that the children of Israell obeyed Iosua. It is not onely sayde that he receiued the giftes that were necessarie for his office; but also did therewithall girde him with the sworde, according as it is sayde in Iob,