A17698:669
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 here a man might demand a question, wherefore Moses saith that they shall not live in the land that is given them,1 but shall be shortly rooted out of it: for we see that God is patient: and in deed it appeareth sufficiently. And therefore it seemeth at the first sight that the thing which §60Moses sayeth here, should not come to pass. God spared his people a long time. Although they gave themselves to idolatry and superstition: yet did God use long patience towards them, insomuch that the Prophets laboured to bring them back again when they were revolted. Although they were wilful and hard hearted, yet did God assay to win them to him. Notwithstanding all this, it is said here that they shall soon be rooted out. Yea, but this soon or shortly must agree with that which is written in many other places:2 that is to wit, that although Gods wrath light suddenly upon offenders, & overwhelm them as a storm that cometh unlooked for: yet doth he not fail to be patient, and to delay his vengeance till mens wickedness be grown ripe, yea and even till it be stark rotten. Therefore it is to be understood that God punisheth not offenders out of hand, for he sayeth that he is slow to wrath, and he must needs keep his own nature. Nevertheless in using patience, and in bearing with them that have done amiss: he overthroweth them sooner then they would. Ye see then that this soon, shortly, by and by, or out of hand, must be referred to mens carelessness, who make their account that all shall go well with them, and bear themselves in hand that they have made a covenant with death (as saith the Prophet Isaiah,3) and they be as drunken folks in that behalf, so as if God wink at them for a time, they think they be scaped from his hand. See how the hypocrites abuse Gods goodness, bearing themselves in hand that they shall never come to account for it. For this cause doth Moses say here soon or shortly. Not y• God forgetteth his own nature (as I said,) or tarrieth not a long time for the amendment of offenders: but that when all is done, his vengeance is always in a readiness,4