A17698:688
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.
For we think it strange, that God should use so sundry sorts of rigour in this world: but in the mean while we consider not the hardness of mens hearts. For although Gods curses have their full scope, so as we see wars on the one side and famine on the other, and every man cries out alas: yet notwithstanding, who is he that looketh to the hand that smiteth? Howe many return to GOD for all that? doth it not rather seem that sinners have ⟨p. 155⟩conspired to resist God still? Now seeing it is so, let us mark that Gods showing of himself so rigorous, is not without cause, and let us impute it to our own selves. Then if any of us be afflicted alone, or all of us in common, so as we be smitten with Gods scourges: let us understand that we have need of it, and that it serveth to stop our mouths, that we grudge not against God, assuring our selves that his nipping of us after that fashion is not causeless.
For wee thinke it straunge, that God should vse so sundry sortes of rigor in this world: but in the meane while wee consider not the hardnesse of mens heartes. For although Gods curses haue their full scope, so as we see warres on the one side and famine on the other, and euery man cryes out alas: yet notwithstanding, who is hee that looketh to the hand that smiteth? Howe many returne to GOD for all that? doth it not rather seeme that sinners haue ⟨p. 155⟩conspired to resist God still? Nowe seeing it is so, let vs marke that Gods shewing of himselfe so rigorous, is not without cause, and let vs impute it to our owne selues. Then if any of vs bee afflicted alone, or all of vs in common, so as we bee smitten with Gods scourges: let vs vnderstande that wee haue neede of it, and that it serueth to stoppe our mouthes, that we grudge not against God, assuring our selues that his nipping of vs after that fashion is not causelesse.
Besides this, let us also learn to comfort our selves sith we see the end that God aimeth at. For like as he showeth himself rough and sharp: so will he also have us to taste of his love and care towards us: that is to wit, that forasmuch as we have forgotten him & turned our backs to him, & not fought to him, but rather endeavoured to flee from him: his intent is to draw us to him by that means, and