A17698:77
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.
But here it might be demanded how the land was promised to the fathers which never had possession of it? For we know that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob acknowledged themselves to be but sojourners there, and that they had not the Lordship of the land, but that they were as §10poor wanderers,1 and were tossed too and fro, insomuch that even their water was taken from them, so as they had not water to drink, and not only were kept from coming to the pits that had bin digged already, but also were put from water when they had digged pits by their own labour and travel.2 Where is then the promise of God which he made to Abraham, concerning the giving of the land unto him? Hereby we be put in mind of that which the Apostle §20sayeth in the Epistle to the Hebrews:3 that is to wit, that the ancient fathers had not an eye to the visible land: but only took it as a representation of the everlasting dwelling place whereunto God calleth them: Insomuch that although Abraham had not any possession in the land of Canaan, yet was he Lord & master of it nevertheless, howbeit that he held himself contented with the only sight that God gave him thereof, to the end he might have his heart lifted up §30into heaven, and wait to have his everlasting abode there. Thus to be short, the Lordship which Abraham had of the visible land, was spiritual. For although in mans opinion he had no whit at all of it, but was like to have bin driven out of it every day: yet possessed he the thing that God had promised him.
But here it might be demanded how the land was promised to the fathers which neuer had possession of it? For wee knowe that Abraham, Isaak, and Iacob acknowledged themselues to be but soiourners there, and that they had not the Lordship of the land, but that they were as §10poore wanderers,1 and were tossed too and fro, insomuch that euen their water was taken from them, so as they had not water to drinke, and not onely were kept from comming to the pits that had bin digged already, but also were put from water when they had digged pits by their owne labor and trauell.