A17698:646
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 hath Moses good right to say, Because of your words God sware that I should not go over Jordan to enter into this good land. Neither murmuring §30nor blaspheming proceeded from Moses: Nay (which is more) we see he crucified himself when he saw that god was not honoured as he ought to have been: whereas on the contrary part there was a froward & wilful people, which could not be brought into order by any means. It seemeth then indeed that Moses had just cause to be angry with the people, seeing that God had punished him so grievously for their disobedience. But yet for all that, a man may see he showeth himself §40still a father towards them, and taketh them as his children, for he knew to what state he was called. True it is that he used sharpness and rigour in due time and place, specially when it behooved him to show the people their offences. We see that Moses was [in that behalf] as a burning fire: we see how vehemently he rebuketh the despisers of God and the Rebels. But when it was once over, he showed himself always to bear an affection of love, towards such as could §50abide it. As for example, God had now punished the people by the space of forty years, insomuch that they which had brought punishments upon the people, and had been the authors of sedition, were already dead and their carcasses were rotten in the wilderness: & yet now behold, Moses pitieth the children that were descended of them, and ceaseth not to love them. So then let us mark, that if God call us to the preaching of his word, the unthankfulness of such as ought to §60hear it, must not stay us from procuring their salvation as much as in us lieth. Moreover let us not forbear to pronounce Gods justice against the wicked. And though there be some that are utterly wilful & past hope of recovery, whose diseases are uncurable: well, yet let us do our duty towards them: let us cite them to Gods judgement, & let our doctrine serve for their condemnation to send them to hell. And in the mean while, look where we can reclaim them that have done amiss: let us give good heed thereto and bestow our labour thereon. Behold yet what we have further to remember out of this place.
Therfore hath Moses good right to say, Because of your words God sware that I should not go ouer Iordan to enter into this good land. Neither murmuring