A17698:497
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.
But yet for all that, he showed him the land a far off. And no doubt but that the sight of Moses reached beyond the ordinary sight of nature, and beyond all that he could conceive §30within kenning.1 True it is that in the end of this book it is said, that even in his old age, although he was then sixscore years old, yet his senses were not appaired, but continued still in their full strength. Nevertheless, when as it is said, that he extended his sight so far, as that he could view all the countries of the land of Canaan: [it is evident] that God gave him sight above the power of nature. And all this tended to this end, that Moses might be assured, that §40Gods delivering of the people was not to the end to leave them in the midway, or to leave his promise unperformed which he had made to his servant Abraham. And his assuring of Moses thereof, was not only for Moses own sake, but also for all the peoples sake, to encourage the weaker sort, that they might take hart to enter the more boldly into the possession of their inheritance after his decease, not doubting but that God would still reach them his §50mighty hand. That was the cause why this great sight was given to Moses. And we must not marvel that God showed him the land of Canaan after that sort: seeing he had already revealed mount Zion & Morea unto him in spirit. Moses then was confirmed by all means, not for himself only, but chiefly for the edifying of the people. Here by the way we be taught, to receive such taste of his grace as he giveth us, though we have but some little feeling §60of it, and enjoy it not yet to the full. Moses standing upon the top of the mountain, saw the land a far off: it behoveth him to stay there, and to thank God for that sight. Likewise sometime God will make us to feel his grace very slenderly, at leastwise in respect of our desire: for we would fain have our fill of it, we would have him to give it us more plainly: but that would not be good for us. Why? Sometimes we might not call upon him: but all things ought to be submitted to his will. Yet notwithstanding, we may chance to see some little spark of Gods grace a far of, or else perhaps he will make us to feel it: but that shall be so slenderly, as it shall seem that his intent was but to provoke our appetite, and to whet our wit, and not to content us.