A17698:563
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 herewithal Moses showeth in two things, how greatly the people ought to have esteemed of the grace that was given unto them. For let us (saith he) be compared with the rest of the world: and it shall not be found that those which worship Idols do find such power among them as to be succoured at their need,1 or that their Gods whom they call upon, be so familiar with them. There will no such thing be found. For as soon as we pray unto our God, and resort unto him: we feel him near us by and by. Ye see then an inestimable benefit. Again, we have his laws and Statutes which he hath given us, we have his righteous ordinances: all others do but go astray. True it is that they ween they do well: but in the mean while they have no certainty in their religion: for they have no trueth concerning God. Therefore let us consider the good that he hath done us, to the end we may enjoy it. For all this is treated of by Moses, to the intent it should be applied unto us, and we learn to serve our God with the greater zeal, and to hold our selves in awe. For the setting of his benefits and gracious gifts afore us, is one of the ways whereby God intendeth to win us to him. And it is a shame for us if we serve him not, seeing he hath chosen us and adopted us to be his children. Thus much concerning the first part, where it is said that other nations have no Gods that come so nigh them.
Now herewithal Moses sheweth in two things, how greatly the people ought to haue esteemed of the grace that was giuen vnto them. For let vs (saith he) bee compared with the rest of the worlde: and it shall not bee founde that those which worshippe Idolles doe finde such power among them as to bee succoured at their neede,1 or that their Gods whom they call vppon, bee so familiar with them. There will no such thing be found. For as soone as we pray vnto our God, and resort vnto him: wee feele him neere vs by and by. Yee see then an inestimable benefite. Againe, wee haue his lawes and Statutes which hee hath giuen vs, wee haue his righteous ordinances: all others doe but goe astraie. True it is that they weene they do wel: but in the meane while they haue no certaintie in their religion: for they haue no trueth concerning God. Therfore let vs consider the good that hee hath done vs, to the ende wee may inioy it. For all this is treated of by Moses, to the intent it shoulde bee applyed vnto vs, and we learne to serue our God with ye greater zeale, and to holde our selues in awe. For the setting of his benefites and gratious giftes afore vs, is one of the wayes whereby God intendeth to winne vs to him. And it is a shame for vs if wee serue him not, seeing hee hath chosen vs and adopted vs to bee his children. Thus much concerning the first part, where it is saide that other nations haue no Gods that come so nigh them.