A17698:75
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.
And it is said expressly, that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were their fathers: to the end that they might know themselves to be the successors of the blessing that had bin promised. And therefore he addeth, that God had sworn to give that land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to their offspring. As though Moses should say, that Gods promise is not disannulled, but must now presently take effect, and be accomplished in their persons. Hath God said so, saith he? Then must you consider, that he spake it not only to your fathers which heard the promise, but also to [you which are] their offspring.1 For it is expressly said, that Abraham should teach his children the ways, rights, judgements, and statutes of the Lord. Then was it for the children of Israel, to have received the promise that had bin made in old time to their fathers, as if God had spoken it within fresh remembrance. And in deed we ought to weigh well this circumstance. For it is not to those only which were at the beginning of the Gospel, that God saith, I receive you for my people: but his will is that the same doctrine should be preached still, to the worlds end. Let us note then, that we also are comprehended with them that heard the word of god at the beginning. And forasmuch as his grace reacheth out unto all men, and is common to all ages: it becometh us to give ear to it, seeing it is appointed and offered unto us [as well as to them.] And why? For it is not to S. Peter and to S. Paul only, that God hath said, I am your Saviour: but he hath ordained them to be messengers of his goodness, that we might be taught by their mouth, and we doubt not but God will do the like to us as he did to them. Thus ye see what we have to consider, when as it is said that God promised the land of Canaan for an inheritance to the whole linage of Abraham, and unto them that should descend of his race.
And it is sayd expressely, that Abraham, Isaak, and Iacob were their fathers: to the ende that they might knowe themselues to bee the successors of the blessing that had bin promised. And therefore he addeth, that God had sworne to giue that land to Abraham, Isaak, and Iacob, and to their ofspring. As though Moses should say, that Gods promise is not disanulled, but must now presently take effect, and be accomplished in their persons. Hath God said so, saith he? Then must you consider, that he spake it not onely to your fathers which heard the promise, but also to [you which are] their ofspring.