A17698:500
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.
He addeth that he must instruct, strengthen,§20 and encourage Joshua, for it is he that must lead the people of Israel. Hereby the obedientnesse of Moses is yet better warranted unto us. For how many are there to be seen, which would be loth to employ themselves in doing the things that God commandeth them, unless GOD gave them the honour as well as the charge? But Moses resigneth the honour and dignity that he had received: God putteth him out of office.§30 He should have bin the leader of the people, to bring them into the land of Canaan, and ye see he is deposed from his office with dishonour and shame. Now had he bin as one of these worldlings which know not what it is to give over themselves plainly unto God: or had he bin as a number are, who being carried away with ambition and vainglory, will always needs be had in estimation: he would never have yielded to do any thing to Joshua. But behold,§40 God telleth him here, thou must resign thy state to Joshua, and thou must instruct him, to the end he may be set in thy place: and know thou that he is worthy to be my lieutenant, to lead my people into the possession of their inheritance. Sith we see that Moses was ready hereupon to give over his authority, so as God should bereave him thereof, and yet he himself not only bare no grudge to Joshua his servant when he saw him exalted in his §50room: but also instructed him, and sought to surrender his own gracious gifts unto him, as if he should have plucked all the good out of his own hart, to have said unto Joshua, take here that which belongeth unto thee, to the intent that all may redound to the welfare of the people, and I henceforth become as a poor naked man: sith we see (say I) that Moses was at that point: have we not an evident proof that he regarded not himself? and that he sought not §60any thing else but that God might be glorified? and that when he had finished his course, the people might still have a faithful man to guide and govern them: Specially seeing that even in his lifetime, when he saw God• grace flourish and increase in a mean person which was set in preeminence over him, he not only envied him not, but also was willing to help & further him, that he might be able to execute his charge when he were succeeded in his place? This verily is written in commendation of Moses: