A17698:486
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 whereas Moses sayeth That he was not heard: it is to be referred to this special suit of his. For God doeth never quite shake off his faithful ones when they call upon him, at leastwise generally: for he is always merciful to them,1 and their praying to him is not in vain. But yet for all that, he granteth them not every particular thing that they ask of him. It may so hap that a faithful man, shall make some request in his prayer unto God, (yea, for as was said yesterday, there is not a harder thing than to bridle our selves in such sort, as we pass not our bounds:) there may some such request (I say) slip from a faithful man, as shall be good in it self, and yet notwithstanding, God shall not vouchsafe to grant it. Then is he not heard in that behalf: but yet shall not his prayer be vain and unprofitable. For though he obtain not in that point: yet ceaseth he not to be in Gods favour, neither doeth God fail to regard his necessities. So then let us note, that all the prayer of Moses was not rejected at Gods hand, as though he had obtained nothing at all of him: but only as touching that point, wherein it behoved him to have denial at Gods hand. That is the thing which he meant here.
Nowe whereas Moses saieth That he was not heard: it is to be referred to this speciall sute of his. For God doeth neuer quite shake off his faithfull ones when they call vpon him, at leastwise generally: for he is alwayes mercifull to them,1 and their praying to him is not in vaine. But yet for all that, he graunteth them not euery particular thing that they aske of him. It may so happe that a faithfull man, shall make some request in his prayer vnto God, (yea, for as was said yesterday, there is not a harder thing than to bridle our selues in such sort, as wee passe not our boundes:) there may some such request (I say) slip from a faithfull man, as shall bee good in it selfe, and yet notwithstanding, God shall not vouchsafe to graunt it. Then is he not heard in that behalfe: but yet shall not his prayer bee vaine and vnprofitable. For though he obteine not in that point: yet ceasseth he not to bee in Gods fauour, neither doeth God faile to regarde his necessities. So then let vs note, that all the prayer of Moses was not reiected at Gods hand, as though he had obtained nothing at al of him: but onely as touching that point, wherein it behoued him to haue deniall at Gods hand. That is the thing which he meant here.