A17698:503
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.
Therefore let them that are called to any charge or authority look well to themselves. For they be not abler men than Joshua was, who had done a notable act already now forty years ago, in outstanding the rebellion of the whole people, notwithstanding that they would have stoned him, and that he saw so great, and (as ye would say) so infinite a multitude against him, which was not of an hundred men, neither of rascals, or of no estimation, but there were moe than six hundred thousand men that did set themselves against him: and yet for all that he bare out the brunt, with invincible constancy, and maintained Gods quarrel. Joshua had done this deed forty years afore: and yet notwithstanding he is fain to be encouraged still, he is fain to receive new instruction, he is fain to be confirmed yet better and better. Now then, what shall those do which are as silly beasts, & can do nothing? If a man examine them thoroughly, although there be some good seed of virtue in them, alas, they come far short of the perfection that was in Joshua. Then if they cannot find in their hearts to be taught, and to be strengthened that they may the better serve God: are they not worthy to be put to reproach, so as they may not discern what uprightness and Justice mean, but commit so gross crimes as even little children may laugh them to scorn, and all the world be ⟨p. 108⟩ashamed of them? Thus much concerning the first point.
Therefore let them that are called to any charge or authoritie looke wel to themselues. For they be not abler men than Iosua was, who had done a notable act already now forty yeeres agoe, in outstanding the rebellion of the whole peeple, notwitstanding yt they would haue stoned him, and that he sawe so great, and (as ye would say) so infinite a multitude against him, which was not of an hundred men, neither of rascalles, or of no estimation, but there were moe than sixe hundred thowsand men that did set themselues against him: and yet for all yt he bare out the brunt, with inuincible constancie, and maintained Gods quarell. Iosua had done this deede fortie yeeres afore: andy yet notwithstanding he is faine to be incouraged stil, he is faine to receiue newe instruction, hee is faine to be confirmed yet better and better. Now thē, what shall those do which are as sillie beastes, & can doe nothing? If a man examine them thorowly, although there bee some good seede of vertue in them, alas, they come farre shorte of the perfection that was in Iosua. Then if they cannot finde in their hartes to be taught, and to be strengthened that they may the better serue God: are they not worthie to be put to reproch, so as they may not discerne what vprightnesse and Iustice meane, but commit so grosse crymes as euen little children may laugh them to skorne, and all the worlde bee