A17698:495
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.
We know that if ever man obtained favour in Gods sight, it was Moses especially above all other.1 For God did him the honour to show himself familiarly unto him face to face, as a friend doth to his companion: for so doth the scripture itself report: and yet ye see his request was refused: [for it was said unto him,] Speak no more to me of this matter. He doth [as it were] threaten him. Now if Moses were thus dealt with: let us understand that we ought not to take it too much to hart, if God deal roughly with us nowadays, and make no haste to succour us, but rather that to our seeming the misery increaseth double, after we have prayed unto him. Let us not think the matter strange: for it shall turn to our benefit. To be short, let us learn to bear all temporal corrections patiently which God sendeth unto us. Although our condition wax worse and worse to the worldward, although we have a heavy burden to bear, although we have many hard and grievous things to endure: yet notwithstanding we must come to this point, that forasmuch as they be but temporal chastisements, we may well hold our selves quiet, for our salvation abideth still unimpaired. And although we obtain not some thing which we ask: yet must we not think our selves utterly barred from it, until our Lord show us by some evident sign. As how? When a man is in trouble, he repaireth unto God, and craveth mercy, and yet he findeth no relief, but in stead of easement he findeth himself tormented double. All that he gaineth by his calling upon God, is that ⟨p. 106⟩his misery is increased. But yet for all this he must not be discouraged, but continue still in praying unto God. And therewithal we must consider thus: God knoweth to what end he doth it. And his delaying to grant us our request, is to show us that although he suffer us to languish in our adversities: yet doth he not forget us nor disdain to be our father still, but only teacheth us to obey him and to be subject to him. After that manner then must we behave §10our selves in praying. When it shall seem that we have lost our time in calling upon God: yet must we still come back to this comfort, saying:
Wee knowe that if euer man obteined fauor in Gods sight, it was Moses inespecially aboue all other.