A17698:713
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 he sayeth, Inquire from the one end of heaven to the other, to wit if ever there were so great a thing, or if ever man heard of the like. After he hath spoken of the time, now he speaketh of the places. As if he should say, If folk will make good inquisition, it is not enough for them to know what things God hath showed to themselves:§50 but it were meet for them to seek about every where, and to mark well what they find, and to call to mind the things that have been done in far Countries. Therefore consider well (sayeth he) what hath bin done from the one end of the heaven to the other. And this is it that I said afore, namely that we must profit our selves by all Gods works, and although we behold them not with our eyes, yet if we do but hear of them, and tidings is brought us of them from a §60far, we must honour God in them. In deed if we be witnesses of them, they ought to touch us so much the more. But yet howsoever the case stand, we ought to do our endeavour to know the things that have bin done in strange Countries, according as is said here. And when as Moses sayeth, so great a thing: thereby he showeth that the more that God manifesteth his power: the more ought we to be ravished with wonderment. In deed there is no work of God so small, which ought not to move us to acknowledge some token of his Majesty therein. If we do but look upon a fly: surely we have there wherefore to magnify God. If we see but the slip of an herb, or any other thing be it never so little: we have therein whereby we ought to acknowledge the wonderful workmanship of God. But if he do moreover work much more evident miracles, ought not all our wits to be much more occupied or spent about them? When God doeth after a sort alter the order of nature, and worketh after a new and unaccustomed manner: is it not all one as if he should rebuke us for our negligence and say unto us: Seeing you knew me not for God by the accustomed order of nature, at leastwise think upon me now when I go to work after another strange fashion, and consider ye whether I be God or no. Thus ye see what Moses meant by saying, There was never yet so great a thing, neither was there ever the like heard of.
Nowe he saieth, Inquire from the one end of heauen to the other, to wit if euer there were so great a thing, or if euer man heard of the like. After he hath spoken of the time, nowe he speaketh of the places. As if he should say, If folke will make good inquisition, it is not ynough for them to knowe what thinges God hath shewed to themselues: