,^ -»».-. '&i -V. ^ /■ t ^^ - / I ':^^ J/U ' \ . J. 3A s. t '/2>u^ *- ^iJ/^ ■^-^ "7- 7 £«L ed^ ^Jl^, ^iu^u^tt^^ y*/ Theological Seminary PRINCETON, N. J- ^««^ '^^ *rr:.....D).vi5ipn... -■ Section vf • N % 4^' rr 1 wb f^ SERMONS OF M.IOHN CALVIN VPON THE FIFTH BOOKE OF a^Mofes called DeMeronomie^; Faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open Vulpet-^ Together with a preface of the Minifters of the Church of * Gcncua,andanadmonifhmentmaclebythe Dcaconsthere. -r, Alfo there are annexed two profitable Tables.the one containing ihe chiefe maicersitheotherthe places of SCriptuic herein alledged. '. Tranjlated out ef French hy Arthvr. Golding. -H^.^ AT LONDON, Printed by Henry Middleton forTHOMAS WOODCOCKE* Anno Domini 1583, aL.^'^{:^r^. \ To all the fai'thfull which hold the holie faith of tlie true Catholike Church, and gcncrallie to all Chriftian Readers: Greeting in lefus Chnft our Lord and GOD. Amen. Tis not without caufe,that the pfalmefpcakino of the great benefits which GOD had beftowed vpon the lewes,among whom was his Churcii at that time,doth checflymagnifie the grace which he had vttercd to- wards them in dehuering vnto them the fine rule of his feriiice,the true maner of good life,& the right way of faluation.afwell by the writings ofMofes and other hisferuants, asalfoby the huely voyce of them aoiee- ing with their writings. For without that all the abun- dance and profperitie which they could haue had^had becncbut as records againft them to haue increafed flil the meafure of their condemnation.Thcrefore hauing fpoken of Gods defending of the gates of the holy citie Icrufalcm,of his ble^ing vpon the inhabiters thcreof.of tielje, the loaditarre toltjejthe opener of our vrtaeritanawj^yana tuegunerriour of our wits : the faUhfuUfoIlorviKg -whereof is the way to welfare^the frocurer offence , the path of true pleafurcy the e»trie ofimmortalttie,and the hot hour er cfhappinejfe. Or, if we haue an eye to the maner of the delitiering thereof it is moft wooitderful,accompamed with manj great tuj' racleSyfgneSy and tokens. ^and honouredwith theglarie and maiefiie of Gods owne pre fence. If tothetntentoftheLawegiuer-Jtistherepayringandrefermingcfman according to the 1- mage of his maker, in true holinejfe andrighteoufrejfe . If to the end of the Lowe , it is to driue vs vnto Chrtfl , that by him wee might he fined . // to the obedience which it recjut- reth; It is altogether fpfrttuall,holie (^ euer lofting, tyill which things are not onelie greaty but thegreaiefi that can be^and fuller ofmateftte andglorie than can he exprejfedor concei- ttedby man . jdgaine , if we haue an eye to thepartie by whofeferuice andminifiery this law was publtfl^ed ; hee was a manpeculiarlte chofen of God , induedvatth mofi excellent giftes , fill of the holy Ghojl , fuch a prophet as neuer had his ltke,(Chrift onlte excepted)a figure of (^hrifl y familiar with God, aperfeBpaterneofagoodgouernourf and a verie father of his (fommonweakt Or if we haue an eye to the parties to whom it was deliuered;they were a feopU whom God hadpurpofily chofen^redeemed, and deliuered from mofl miferable thral' dome , to the intent to be their King^and to dwell among them^and that they fhould be vnto kmt a holie people ttneLaroyallTrte^hoode for euer-.whtch things are furelie mofi excellent Avdfwgular prerogaitHts. tAnd as for the Treacher of thefe Sermons , by whom the fayde things are l^efeorthyOnd expounded to the better vnderflanding of the Reader : it is weS knowen, that for the manifrld talents and excellent gifts which God had heflowed vpon bimfOnd for his diligent and mofi painfull tmploying of the fame to the heating downeofl- dolatrie and fHperfliiio»,to the winning offoJke vnto God,andto the edifying of Chrifls flock: he WM in his lifetime , andyetjlill is, a man of great reputation and renowme . As for mine owne trautllin tranflating this worke , I humbly fubmit the iudgement and cenfure thereof to your Lordfhipsfauourable acceptation , the obtainement whereof fliall greatlie increafe mygladneffe in that I haue done any thing whereby the Church efG 01) is or may bee any whit edified . fVritten the xxj. of "December , i j S 2. Your good Lordfliips mofl humble al-pyaies at £ommaun3lementy ARTHVR GOLDING. TO THS CATHOLIKE CHURCH. bcede to their wordesj that they may go foieward in Chriflianitic : i: is full certainc that therinhe comprehendeth Mofes as the forcmoll of them al.And in afmuch as he wrote of lefus Chrift.as Chrifthimfelf auoucheth in exprcfle words in y fifth Chap- ter of S. Iohn;it may well be concluded ( according alfo as faith the ApoiUc to the Hebrucs)that his fpeaking and writing was to bcare record of the things that were to be fpoken afterward, namely by the fon of God & his Apoftlcs, as we rcade them written in the new Teliament.Now among the books of Mofes,al fuch as can skil of the wil cafily grant.that as Dcuteronomie is the lart,fo it teacheth whereto the^thcr books tendjfticwing the meane how to fare the better by them,yea and contcming as it were the fummc ofthe.Thcrforeicis very likely,that that was the caufe which moucd our welbeloued brother or rather good father Mafter John Caluin.that moft faithfull minifier of the Golpcll of Icfus Chriltj to preach and expound the fame in the Church, bicaufc that by his fetting forth therofhc fliould after a fort coprehend the other next three alfo,fo farrc forth as the vnderftanding of them fhould be need- full for the peoplc.His fermons therforc were faithfully gathered in order,hke as his fermons were which he preached vponother books ofy fcripture,wherof many hauc becnc printed here already, And in the meane time til all the reft of his fermons may by Gods helpe be brought to light, it hath feemed good that thefc lame fliould be put forth firft in the meane while:the imprcflion wherof fliould not neede any com- mendation or prefacc,but that the long continuance of cuftomc icquireth it. For as many as haue heard true report of the pcrlbn and skil of that good man Mafter lohn Caluin,wil be fufficiently drawne to the reading of his fermons,by finding his name here fet vnto them ; affuring themfelues that they flial not finde any thing in them, but fuch as agree with Gods fpirite.that is to fay profitable, good, and holy things. As touching the principall and notableft points that are to be found here, there might very well be made a rehearfall of them, to giue the readers fome taft of the 'whole booke of the faid fcrm6s,at their firft entry. But forafmuch as it is better that cuery man fliould hie him to the reading of them, and to heare the preacher himfclf Ipeakeasit wereinhis owneperfon,we purpofe not to enter into fuch difcourfe, which might peraduenture be fomewhat with the longeft.OncIy we will touch one poinc.whcrof fome word hath beene caft forth already heretofore.-that is to wit,thac - this booke of Mofes beeing well read and vnderftoodc, doth fliew fufficiently who they be that holdc the true religion, and refolueth a queftion wherof men leeme partly to doubt yet at this day, and partly to determine ouer boldly after their owne fancie,againft the cxpreflc word of God. We fpeake not here of Turks,Ie wes,Saia- fins, and fuch other, which are commonly called Mifcreants, or Infidels as they be in dcede : but we fpeake of the nations which haue long time borne the rcnowne of Chriftianitie.bicaufe that through Gods gracious goodnes fome figne of holy bap- tifme hath continued amongft ihem,and lefus Chrift is profeflcd there in name. We fee then that there is great variance nowadaies. The one faith,that Chriftianitie re- quireth.that in feruingGod,men ftiould,or at leaftwife may haue images,& fet them vp in churches for Chriftian people : the other fide vpholdeth on the contrary part, that it is a vilanous defiling of religion, and an vtter forfakingof the true Chriftiani- tie.and a taking in of a baflard religion in fteede of it. If men can finde in their hearts to heare Mofes fpeake in this booke(as they needcs muft,or clfc be conuidted of re- nouncing God the Father and his foiinc our Lord lefus Chrift who is very God and euerlafting life,and of rcfifting the holic Ghoft:)hc flievveth the thing which he for- gettcth not in his other bookcs alfo , namelie that God could neuer away to be fer- ued after that fafliion,but cucrmorc cxprcflelie forbade images in cafe of Religion, and threatened his owne people with horrible puniflimcnts , if they held not them- felues contented with that finglc order, to reft thereupon without attempting any further. Were there no more but the oneiy text of the fecond commandement, it wercynoughandfufficient, For(as Mofes wrote in the twentith of Exodus, and hath rehcarfed againc at large in the fifth of this prcfent booke,) God i3i.{t\,ThoHjhalt not TO THE CATHOLJKE CHFRCH. not make to thy [elfe anjgranen image , And to the intent that no man fliould vfe any wrangling by liandingvpon the particular, he addeth, nor the likefiejfe of any thing th'nt is in heatten abotte, or tn earth beneath y or $n the waters vnder the earth. Morcou cr, to Oiew that he will not hauementoycelde them any part of his feruice, how little focueritbcr headdeth , Thott[halt not bowedoiv'ne to them, nor worflnf them. Laltof all he addeth a horrible and drcadefull threate , that he mil take vengeance vpon the tranfgreflors and their children, to the thtrde and fourth generation. This conimaun- demcnt then is iet downc in fo exprefle tcrmes, that the matter is as manifelt as may be. And therefore the luHy laddes that haiicheldc the people in error, perceyuing the great gaine which they and their bellies reaped , by thismeaneor occafionof mingling Images with religion, haue ouerleaptthisi'econd commaundcment, and diuided the lali commaundcment into two, that the full number of tenne might be found there ftill . But beiides this, Mofes deliuereth fo often expofitions of it euen in this fclfefamc booke^and fetteth forth fo liuely and precifc difcourfes therof : that if any man will not giue place thereunto in thelc dayes , this prouerbe may well be verified of him, that none is I'o deafe as he that will not heare : and that he is oucr- preached vnto, which hath no care to doe well. For as touching the arguments which fome haue allcdged for that purpofe in thefe latter yeres, although they hauc beene oftentimes chafed and rechafed.yet are they fo ftarke and lliffe for coldcj that they haue no force nor might to giue any holincfle to Images in the Temples of the Chrirtians,as hath beene well fhewed to the forcmentioned gainefaycrs in due time and place, andfhall (till hereafter whenfoeuertheylirt to giue care. And as for vs, •we haue on the one fide, to continue in praying vnto God, that he vouchlafc to touch the heartes of the people and of their leaders and goucrnours, efteftually by his holy fpirite, fo as ihcy may well vnderftande this point, which would be a good meane toappeafeGcds wrath, andtoopena great gappe to the reformation that might infuefrom better to better . And on the other fide it ftandeth vson hand to iTrengthen our ielues in the infallible certaintic of the holy Chridian religion and true Apoftolike faith, which we holde with the other holy Churches that are refor- med. And as concerning this point, nodoubtbutitisaninuinciblcfortreflevnto vs, that we are able to fhe'/ye forththisthingfromagetoagcrnamely, firftof all iliat the true Apofiolikeand Primatiuc Church had no Images at all in their holy meetings, whether it were in Temples or elfewhcre , ne willed the people tokneclc downe to them, or to fct them vp before them . That likcwife aforetimes when the Church was gouerned by the Icwes, both after their returne from Babylon, and euen in the captiuitie itfclte, the good and 'faithfuU fort did warily kcepethcm- fellies from it : that if yce mount vp yet higher, the true Prophetcs were com- mended for crying out againft Images and the manner of worfliipping of Images, and the holy Kinges were well liked of God for pulhng downe, razing out, and rooting vp the occafionsof fuch fupeiftitions among their people : that the good Judges and gouernours had doonc likewifc before the kings : and that euen Mofes himTcIfc(whowasauncicnter than any others that haue left any bookes of lon» time)fpake of them after the fame manner, and dealt accordingly thereto, bicaulc he had both the adminiftrationof the do6lrincand the goucrnemcnt of the com- mon weale together , which was not ordinarie afterwardc in others . Yee fee then, yee fee howe the true Catholikc Church is on their fide which follow the Gofpell , whatfbeuer men lift to fay to the contraric . And nowe that we be deliueredfrom outwarde Idolatrie, it ftandeth vs on handc to lookc neerely to our felncs,that our life bee agreeable to the purenefie of Gods feruice, fo as wee fhunnc Couctoufneffe ( which alfo is named Idolatrie) ambition , excelTe and vanitie of the worlde , taking good hccdc ( as much as is poflible for vs to doe ) that no man bee withdrawnc from the Gofpell and the loue thereof through our vndifcreete dealing : to the cnde it may appcarc that whereas the difobcdicnt doe fcekc cxcufes and take occafion of ftumbling, they doc it ^. iiij. without TO THS CATHOLIKE CHURCH. without any caufe giuen on our bchalfe. Furthermore the ftrange blindnefle or ra- thcrwilfuU ftubbornnefife which is to be fcenc nowadaies in a number of them that cal themfelucs Chrittians,ought to make vs fo much the earnefter in praying.to the end aforefaid, that is to wit, that our good God may vouchlate to worke fo effecftu- ally in the hearts of all men, as well great as lmall,Kings, Princes, and other gouer- nors,as their fubie£ls:as the wretched world may not alwais continue at the A.B.C x)f ChriftianitiCjWithout learning any further.Wc terme the fecond commandemenc an A.B.C, bicaufe it is and euer hath been one of the firit and fureft groundes of the true religion, and is (as ye would fay) a neccffary appurtenance to the fiifl:comman- dement. For whofoeucr mingleth the worfhipping of Images with thefcruingof Godjdoth as much as in him lycth, to let forth other gods than the true God. And it is a maruelous thing, that the world becommethneuer the wifer for all the great number ofpunifliments which God hath powred out,and liil powreth out to warnc vs to come to repentance. For within thefe fiftic yeres, fince which time God of his grace hath fet vp the preaching of the gofpell in diuers places : befides his fufficienc fmiting of the people ofthe earth with his roddes in former yeres, he hath alfo made themfeele his fcourges diuers wayes, in punifhing their contempt of his holy do- ctrine. Yet notwithftanding we hope that God (conditionally that we continue in prayer) wil one day fliew by more aboundant eflreft, that he hath heard the prayers of his fillie faithful! ones, euen in thisbchalfc.and draw the reft of his churches out ofthe miferablc defolation, which hath laftcd now too long by reafon of our finnes. And hereof we hauc good hanlel in the furtherance that he hath giuen already to the gorpell,notwithrtanding that Satan hath fpit out his fpite againit it on all fides. For albeeit that the holy dodtrine doe founde in the earcs of the poore people in diuers placeSjthe facraments of Baptifme and ofthe Lords fupper be miniftred purely, the prailes of God do ring ftiirlely to mens vnderftanding in the pi'alms and iongs, and the father is woorfliipped in the name of lefus Chrift our hope and the onely aduo- catc of wretched finners : yet are there a number which hope , or at leaftwil'e wifh, that as the funne hath been eclipfed this yerCjfo there might bean cucrlafling eclips of the preaching ofthe gofpell : but by the hclpc of Godandof ourgreatdayfunnc lefus Chrift, they fhalbe deceaued. And in the meane time while Gods kingdome may inlar^c it felfe ftil further out here below,wcpray al fuch as are dcfirous to haue the vnderftanding and vfe ofthe do6lrinc of this godlic booke ofMofes, to take the paine to rcadc thefe prcfent Sermons of the faithful! feruaunt ofGod Matter lohn Caluinrofwhomlikeas the fpeecheandpenferued the Church aslong as he liued, f'whatfoeuer fome Balaams bable to the contrarie:)fo we bcleeue y his writings wil by Gods help cdifie al men continuallic hereafter.Moreouer it were a needles thing to warne men,and to pray them to take heede that they make not the Pri nter to lofe the ftuite of his labour , and his coft which he was faine to be at in the printing of this prefent worke, were it not for the greedie and vnfatiablc couctoufneffethat reigneth nowadaies in men of that trade, by reafon whereof diucrfe times they o- uerrun one another without any honcftie or confcience . Surelie we had forborne to giue this warning, and had leucr to hauc let the Printers alone to dea!e with their owne peculiar cafes,as they lifted among themfelues, ifit were not for one reafon which inforceth vs to fall purpofelie into that matter : which is, that in ibme places they not onelic print againeinfuch haft the bookes of that excellent teacher Ma- tter lohn Caluin that were erft printed here, as it is pitiful! to fee the workcman- fhip ofthe imprinting fo ill corrected : but alfo morcouer, fome haue gone lb farrc, as to print in Maftcr Caluins name the vnperfcft copies which they hauc gotten by peeccmcale or ftealth where they could come by them . We knowc not what they meane by it .• but furclie they doc wrong both to the author, and to the Church of God. Yea and they open a gappe which may be dangerous in time to come.when- foeuer any man will foyftinbookesftained with wicked dottrine, to make them pafTe footth vndcr the name of a faithful feruant of God,as eucry man knowcth hath TO THS CATHOLIKE CHrRCH. bin done to diiierfe ancient doftors of the Church; Infomuch that euen S.Paul war= ne th the Theflalonians to beware ofletters & Epittles that were made to run abrode in the Churches [^vnder his namej , as though he had been the very author of thcni, Truelyjfo long as it iliall pliafe qur good God to preferue vs & the Church wherein he of his grace hath made vs fliepehcrds:it is our ductic to find fault with fuch as wil needs father any other bookes vpon Caluin than his owne,or by their falfe additions corrupt thofe which he hath made truelie.But yet is it much better to preuent y dan- ger aforchand,& to efchew the occafions thereof as necreas may be. Wherefore,in Gods name we befeech all fuch as haue any written copies , fpccially ofthe faid au- thors fermons,not yet printcd:to forbeare the putting of them forth,vntil they haue firft bin duely conferred with the originals,which are here in y keeping of one ofthc Deacons. And as touching them that are minded to print againe any worke of y faid author that is printed alreadic,\ve pray them to haue regard to the common profit & edifying ofthc Church.rather than to the furtherance of their owne peculiar gaine. And herewithal we commend you all to the grace of God. The Lorde lefus be with yoUjwho is of y feed of Dauid according to the flcfh.the vcric fon ofthe holy virgin Marie,thc very Chiil^,& God bleifcd for euermore as S.Paul hathexprellie written, and fo haue wc alwaycs bclecued & do beleeue all of vs. Amen. Deare brcthrcn,we commend our felucs to your prayers.prom Geneua this moneth of Ianuarie,i5 67. ■ ■ Your humble brethren, the Minifters of Goilsword. ' The "Deacons anddifpofers ofthe goods that aregiuen in almes to thepoore llrangers that are come hither into the citie of Geneua for Gods words fake; to all faithlull and true Chnftians,hcltb and peace from our Lord Icfus. ^Trs^i'^ Orafmuch as our gcod.& faithfull fhepherds the minifters ofthis church, ' ji^r-^ peraduentUTc fearing to be ouerlong or tedious to their readers,do in the \ [^^?J! ^■'"i oftheir preface made to thcfe fermons, but (as it were glauncinglie) !£■ z^-gj^touch one point, which notwithftanding is ofgreat importance for the poore llraungers that are come into this towne; to our feeming it would be thought neither amifte nor ftrange , ifwe for our dueties fake, declared the thing fomewhac more at largejWhich they (pake in one word^ cocerning the printing ofthe fermons of our late good father M.lohn Caluin. Nowc then,for the better vnderftanding of the \vholc,you muft confider that from the yere of our Lord 1 • 49 forth on, the late M.Dennis Ragucueawe being fled hither , gauc hiiliielfc to the gathering ofthe Ser- mons word for word,which M.lohn Caluin did ordinarilie makc;and that with fuch fvviftncs and cunning,through the vie of certain notes ?<. lliapes, as few words efca- ped him euen from the beginning.Which thing when they faw which had the charge ofthc poore fliangers at that time : although they had not any great fum of money wherwith to releeuc the prefent needs: yet failed they not to take fuch order,that y faid writer was intertained after a lore with fome part ofthe fame money , to the in- tent he might haue wherewith to maintaine himfelfe and his fmall familie, while he gauc himfelfe w holly to the gathering oftheie Icrmons , & to the ingrofing of them faire againe afterward, becaul'e he ftoulde fpare no time to any other bufinefle than that.He vndertooke the charge,with condition that he fhould copie out all the Ser- mons faire, into bookes of a certain fcantling orfyfe whereby they fhould be made, w hich he Hiouid dehuer to one ofthe Deacons to be faithfully kept,as a peculiar be- nefite belonqing to the poore ftraungers , at whofe charges the faide writer wasin- teitained. And forafmuch as afterward the number ofthe faithfull increafeddailre in the realme of France,and many that could not heare the liuely voice ofthis good feruant of God in the pulpit , were defuous at leaftwife to fee the things in writing, which he preached openly,andpr3ied to be made partakers of them : inthatonclie refpeifand none other, the writer had leauegiuen him to deliuer copies of whatfo- euerl'ermons were demaunded of him, to the end that fuchasreceiuedthemathis hand, might profitc themfelues by the dodlrine of them , ho vvbeit vppon condition that the fame fliould not afterward in any wife preiudice or hinder the poore, for whom TO rue CATHOLIKE CHVRCH. whom the origlnall copies were carefully preferued (as hath bcenc faid),that they might be printed to the common benefite of them all , whenfoeucr it fKould plealc God to giue them abilitie, as was done aftcrward.By reafon hereof fome which had gotten out copies that came to whole books,taking oportunity of the liberty which our Lord of his infinite goodneflc and mcrcie gaue to the realmc of Fraunce, flicked hottocaufcfomeofthcmtobe printed, not oncly to the great hinderance of the poorcjwho by y meancs were bereft ofthe thing that belonged vnto themrbut alfo to the difaduantage of all the faithfuU , inafmuch as thofe copies were neuer ouer- lookcd & conferred with the originals.which are kept diligently here: which is fuch a decde as we know not how to name in one word,and therefore do willingly Icaue the iudgemcnt therof to fuch as fee whereto it tendeth, and what fequcle may infue of it.For if cuerie man may haue libcrtie to print at his pleafure,al the fermons which he can pretend to haue bin lo gathered^whcreas notwithflanding they haue not bin conferred with the originall copies which we haue here: who fhall let them to falfi- fie the mofl part of the true fermons by adding or diminilhing.and by mangling or nipping of them after their owne fancie ? It is well knowcn thattheabufingofthc names ofGods good and faithfull feruants,is no new thing. If luch libertie be giucn, & men dealc as they haue begun,in this cafe: what wil come of itjbut that y dodrinc of faluation fliall If and as it were at the courtefic of luch as will make their owne de- uices flie through the whole world, vnder pretence of fetting the name of this good man to the titles of them? For fufficicnt proofe whcreof,and to the end it fliould not be thought that we do wrongfully & without caufe giue inkhng ofthe things afore- faid : we will briefly touch what hath bin doone herein a fewe yeares fince : namely that there haue bin ccrtaine men, who without any forecaft, haue bin i'o bolde as to caufe certain fermons vpon the Prophet Danyel to be printed^without vouchfafing to fee the originall copie,or to be aduertifed thereof from hence.And to couer their whole doings the better j they alledge that their fo doing was for the gloric of God. Yea marie : but that lliould haue beenc done without the hinderance of other men. And it is a wonder to fee how fuch folke dare boalf themfelues to be ofthe reformed religion.For to thinkc that Papifls are the doers thereof,there is no likelihood at all, confidering the hatred that they beare to that good man . Therefore it is not to be doubted, but that they be of thatfort which crowd themfelues into the number of the faithfull, and ofthe reformed Churches , and will needs fccme to be great Chri- flians. But let all men iudgc whether it be a dealing meete for them that fcarcGod, fo to filch away y things that belong to the poore members ofour Lord Icfus Chrift. And this th ing bringeth vs to the rememberance of another deede , whereof we be coriflriined to make our moanc likewife to the whole world.to the end that fuch as wittingly withhold the goods ofour poore folke,may aduife themfelues better than they haue done hithcrto,and make amends as they ought to do.The matter conccr- ncth them thatprint or daylie caufe to be printed, or which haue heretofore printed the Pfalmes made into mcetcr by M.Beia.There is none of them all but he knoweth right weljthat he cannot with good confcience,ne ought alfo to print them, without paying to our poore folkc the thing that was promifed and agreed vpon before they w ere euer once put in print,as all of them can wellynough tell.Yet notwithflanding the mofl part,and in maner all that haue had to do with that matter, would neuer yet pay aught of that which they ought to haue doone, for any thing that could be tolde themofit. But let them vaunt themfelues to be good and faithfull Chriftian? as much as they hft : they fliall not eafilie make men beleeuc that they haue fomuch confcience as the Papifls had in that behalfe. For how ignorant fo euer the Papiftcs were, yet would they neither take away nor withholde the things which they knew to belong to the poore , And therefore it is a great fliame , that they which profefTe the G ofpell , which rcfort to the Chriflian congregations, whichreceiuethe hohc fuppcr ofour Lord Icfus, and (to be fliort) which will needs be muftered in the aray ofthe faithfuUjdo no better^bethinke themfelues ofthe difcharging of their dueties. Surely wemaruell how they darcprcafeto the open Sermons, where they be fo of- ten CO 0- 70 THS CATHOLIKS CHURCH. ten condeiT!ncd,at leatKvife in generalitic. But ins feeiie by experience , that they be no whit mooued with them, but doc fall allecpe , infomuch that they thinke not that the great number of threatnings which are vttered againlt allfuchas behaue not themfelues truftilie towards their neighbours,and againli fuch as withhold other mens goods.fpecially the goods that arc appointed to the poore,do conccrne them- lelucs. Yet notvvithlianding.howfocuerany of them both doc take the matter, they iLall one day be faine to fcele to their coH , that whatfoeuer is doone to the poorc members of the fonne ofGod.he takethit to be donetohis bwnc fclfe,fo great Hore doth he fet by them . Wherefore it were nowc high time that all luch folkc llioulde lookc more neerely to themfelues and to their duetie , and not fufter themfelues to be fo caried away by their vnruly fancies and affe6lions,which hinder them to make any confcicnce in withholding the poore folkes goods, and in turning them to their owne priuatc vfc.As touching fome other fort of Printers , which (hcke not to print againe immediatlic the copies that others haue printed at their great charges afore, and by that meanes doe bring to pafle , that many good men dare not aduenture to print (among other things), a great number of the iame authors fermons which arc lierc,and belong to our poore folks: the warning that is giucn thereof in the preface of the faid minifters , (notwithllanding that it be verie fhort ) ought well to rertrainc them.and to make it ieemc to the world, that there is at lealtwife as much modeflie & honeftie in them,as there appcarcth to be in the wretched Papilh that deale with the Art of printing.For they would be afhamed to haue it cait in their tceth,that they had incroched one vpon another. Thus much haue we thought good to adde in this bchalfe,a{ruring our felues that none of the faithfull and of fuch as fcare God will thinke amiffc of this warning,which we haue bin driuen to make in difcharge ofour ductie,which ought alone to be a fufficicnt excule for vs ifany man fhould think that the things which we haue vttetcd arc not material.But we hope that al men of good difcretion & found vndctftanding.will iudge that we neither could nor fhould haue let flip fo good an occafion as this, to warne fuch as print or caufe things to be prin- tcd,to do their ductics towards the poorc. At Geneuathe i2.of Fcbruarie, i J67. Thejame Deacons. T T falleth out well to the purpofe,that when the former warning was ended,there remained a voide roome to put in this addition, which fhall ferue for a confirmati- on of the things that were fpokcn concerning the former maner of dealing , vfedin the printing of the fermons vpon Danyel, For immediatly vpon the getting of a co- pie printed at Rochell by Bartilmew Berton,in the ycare ofour Lord j jdjjhe that nameth liimfelfe the firfl author of the putting ofthem abroade, gaue forth that they had bin kept as it were in prifon by the fpace oftwclue years or thereabouts, & that the Author ofthem had fupprefled them and held them faft locked vp, with fuch o- ther like fayings deuifcd of his owne braine. But therein he fheweth luflficientlic by what meanes he came by thofe copies , which were neuer kept backe from any that were defirous to haue them,fo it were but to reade them ,albeit that they were kept fi-om fuch as would copie them out to defraud our poore folke of the benefitc that was lawfully gotten for them. And whereas he reporteth that the copie which he caufed to be imprinted , fell into the hands of a friend of his: he fhoulde at leaftwifc haue inquired how that came to pafle, and by what title his friend made it his owne, fo as he durft caufe it to be printed.But it is apparant how great his fault was againR our poore folk: and what pretence fo eucr he make,no man can doubt what zealc or aflfeitiondraue him to do that thing. By the way, God grant that the Readers be not difappointed of the profit which they fliould reape of thofe fermons,& that they be put forth according as they were gathercd,wherof we neither can nor wil iudge, vn- till we haue read them throughly,& conferred them with the originall copies which we haue hcere,which thing we will by Gods helpe doc ere it be long , that we may faithfully warne the readers thcr.eof,againft the next imprinting ofthem againe. Fol.t. ^iTHE SERMONS of Mafter lohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Mofes called T) enter onomie. On Wednefday thexx. of March. 1555^ Thcfirfl Sermon vpon thcfrft (Tjapter. HEre followe the wordcs which Mofes fpalce to all Ifraell beyond lordan, inthe wildernertcjintheplaincagainftthcrcdfca , bctwecne Pharan and Tophell,and Laban^d Hazerot,and Dizahab. 2 There arc elcucn iourneycs from Horeb by the way of Mount Scir, to Cades barnc. 3 And It came to pafle, that In the fortith ycere, the firfl day of the eletienth inoneth , Mofes fpaketo the children of Ifraell, according to alUhat cuer the Lordc had commanded him to fay vnto them. vntowards , and could not findeintheirhartes to yeeldc thcmfelucs plyable , in hearkening to the things that were tolde th:m in the name of their God.Yet ought they of right to haue done it, feeing they had receiued fo great & fo incfti- mable a benefit. For God had vttercd the migh» tie ftrength of his armc in deliucring the|>eo- plc. ThcreCoreoughtthey to haue confidered tkus : Bchold,ourGod hath magnified himfelfc ofthethral lO towardes vs after a wonderful! fafhion, we haue had as it were a vifible prefcnce of his maieftie, if the heaucns had opened and God had iTicwed himfelfe tooureycSjweHiould not haue had a greater and more vndoubted alfurance of his peerencfle vnto vs , to warrant vs that hs was our leader. Seeing then that God is fo come downevntovs, and that it hath plcafjd him to impart his goodneffe in fuch wife vnto vs :is it not rcafon chat we fhould be wholy his :- And Luke.t.74> Kii.4l.Ji Hen God caufed his lawe to be publifht in mount Ho- reb , after his coucy- people out ed to what cnde and purpofe he had had pstie of his people in deliuering them : chat is to wit, to be glonfyed thereby , as the marke where- unto we alfo muft referre all the gracious giftes which he beftoweth vpon vs. Zacharie the fa- therofS.IohnBaptifl,fpeakingofthegreatand , , -, foucrcigne deliuerance that was made in the xo feeing he hath reached out his hand to redeem perfon of our Lord lefus Chrift,faith,that Gods vs, ought we not to be his heritage, inafmuch as difchargingofvs from the hand and tyranny of our enemies , was to the end that we fhould feme him in holineflc and righteoufneffe all our Lfelong. And this is a doftrine very common throuohout the whole holy fcripturc. And for the fame caufc alfo is it fayd by the prophet Efay, that God hath created a people to fee footth his prayfe . Seeing then that the Lawe . . was giuen to the people, to make them per- jo commaundcdhim tofpeake.butalfotookehim ic why they had bin deliuered from the vp into the mouncainc, and feparated him from he hath gotten vs by his owne mightie power ? Had the people had one drop of wifedomc , they fhould haue yccldcd themfchies with all humiUtiCjto receiuc the dofliine that was prea- ched to them by Mofes. Yea and what aucho- ritic dcfcrucd the Law, which was fb confirmed with fuch {tore of miracles ' For when God had chofen Mofes to be his prophet: he notonely vhy they bondage of Egypt: it was goodreafon that they fliould yeelde themfelues to the obeying of God , which had (hewed himfelfe their redee- mer in fuch wife.Neuerthelcfl'c the people were thecompanieof men, to the endethat when he fhould come to fet forth his Law, the pc opie fhould accept him as an Angcll, and not as a mortal creature.He was there fortic diies with- a The i. Sermom Of Iohn Calvin out eadngor p>-(ffened the meaning of the Law, haue ftarued for want of Luely foode?andthat butalfo exhorted the people to keepcitbetter they (hould haue ben poyfoncd with all the de- than they had done before , vpbraiding them ceitcs and errors of Satan ? Ofatruth,y people withtheii' lewdnefle in that they hadbeene fo were well worthy of fuch reward. But God had vnrulic andfoilldilpofed , to rcceiuetheinlhu- not an eye to the dcfcrts of that wretched peo- ftion of their maker and redeemer at the firft ple.For he furmounted their finnes with his in- ^o time . Nowc , all the thinges that wee fee in (initegoodnesj&procccdcdmtcachingofthe thijpeople, belong vnto vs. Andwould GOD ftill, euen when they had (hewed thefcluesmofV wee refembled not the lewes in any thing, I (hibbornc &rebellious,andhad matched their meane as in thefe pomtes. But if cuer there vnthankfulnes with fuch wilfulncs, as there fee- were too much hardenelTe of hearte in them, tnedtobce noway to come necrethcm todoe howe much more isittobeefoundein vsnow- thcra good:& yet did God euc then vie his mer- adayes ? Fpr our Lordc hath fpoken more thari once Vpon De vteronomie. Cap.x^ 3 oncevntovs. Ifthe law were well warranted in fodoe (as Ihaucfaide already) : orelTc what the hand ofMofes:hath the gorpelbmlcirc con- would become of it? ButfichwefetthatGodis firmed vntovs in thefedaiei? Ifthe earth were fo gracious as not to bee weary of tcachine vs' Ihakcn then,if the trumpets rouiided,if the Iigh- thoiighitbootcvsnotatthcHiftday.noratthe tcnings flewe abroade , if thwiderclappcs were fiift yeare : let vs affurc our leluts y his dealmg heard:the Gofpcl alfo fliakcth both heaucn and w vs after that forte fr^^m day to day.is nomorc cartliasnow.asitis faide by the Prophet Ag- thanneedtih. And itis apoint wcllworththc AgS"-7. geus, andallcagedby theApoftleinthe EpiiHe marking.For men hauc itching cares,and be de- Hcb,ii.i6. to the Hebrues.Alfo we heare what S.Paul fpea- firous to hcare alwaies new thinos : & if the do- kcthofu in the third Chapter of the fecondE- lo ftrineofGodbepreachedandfe'tforthtothcni »,Cof.j.7. piftlc CO the Corinthians. The mcflage of life eueryday, itbecomethirkfonietothcm&they and faluation (faith he)which is contcined in the wax weary ofit.For to their feemme itis inough Gofptl, muft necdcs beeglontied asmuchor to fpeake of it once or twift , and they confider moic than the dodrinc of the Lawe, which nothowthcyforgecthethingswhichtheyoughg was dead of it fclfe and coulde not giuc men to haue borne away.So then, to the end we wax ^e. not weary of the doftriije that is preached vnto Seeing then that God hath vtteredfo great vs:letvsmarke thatitisncedfiilforvs thatGod maicftie in the Gofpel, and his preaching of it fliouldputvsftiHin mindcofthcthines thathe vnto vs hath not bin for once and away^but wee hath taught vs already: for our wits are fhort to- hauc our eares beaten with it euerydayJetvs fee 20 wardeshini. And therefore let vs bethinke our ifwe be good fcholcrs^and whether wcbeare in felues well, &whenfocuer itis tcldvs that there minde the things that haue beene tolde vs,fo as is but one God in whom we be , & that he is not God is honoured at our hands . Are we linked only our maker.but alfo our fathcr,& hath adop. vnto him ■ Alas, itis nothing fo. For continue ted vs to be his children and morcouer dcd vs God neucr fo much m fettmg forth his doftrine to him by a much ftreiter band , in that he hath vnto vs.wherin we do as it were feehis heartlaid redeemed vs with the bloud of his owne lonne : open vnto vs : yet are we locked vp on our part, whenfoeuer we be put in minde of thefe things : and we giuc hini no encranccjbut rather wee be although we haue heard of them before yetlct gadding and fill of vanitie , and we be fo farre oft" vs not lay, tufh , thefe thinges haue beene prea- from bemg touched with the doftrme, and from 30 ched to vs long ago : but let cuery of vs enter in- rcceiuing it to holde our felues wholly to it, & to to himfelfe,& examine himfelfc,& fee whether^ let our minds vponit,and to be fetlcd in right o- things y we haue heard heretofore, be weJprin- bcdience to it:that rather the cleane contraric ted in our harts. Let vs then enter into accompc is tobe feens.And fo wefee chat the lewes arc as after y fort. And why ?For if we remembred wcl aloking elafle wherein we may behold our owne f webe fee in this world to the end to eloiifie our nidcnt{k,frowardneflc,vnthaiikfulncirc , & wU- god:would wc not be more mindfid to difcharee fillllubbornneflcagainftGod. our duue towards him? If we confidercd thcfa- Yeaand we be more blame worthie than the therlykindcneflethatheevfethincalLne vs his lewes for giuingfoflendereare to ouf God. For chlldien,and which he hath (hewed towardsvs as I haue tolde you already, the people of olde 40 oncealredyinadoptingofvsmthepcrfonofhis time ought CO haue thought themfelucs bounde own fonne:& if we mark how dearly we coft our vnto God, and to haue yeeldcdand giuen oucr LordlefusChriftvvhehedidfctvs free fro cnd- themlelues wholy to his fcruice, bicaufehehad leiledcathrfhouldwenotbedelirous togiueour deliuered them from y thraldome of Egypr.And felues wholy to our God? Should we not be i :mo- what is It that God hath rid vs from nowatthis uedtoycelde him another maner of leuercncc lime?Is It but fro.-p the tyranny of a mortal man, thSn we do? Now thcrfoit.whenfocuer wc be vn or of fome earthly people ?No,but wc know that ruly.fo as y world cariech vs away, & we be intae he hath ranfomed vs from the cheins of fin and led m earthly lulls & affeftions: let vs allure our ofthediucl, he hath pulled vs out ofchegulfe of felues it is becaufe we haue not giuen good eare death, he hath drawnevs out of the dungeon of yo toourGod.whenhefpaketovs.nortakcnheede hel,and he hath not onely promifcd vs the land to it when he warned vs of our duties.'And ther- of Chanaan for an inheritance , but alfo opened fore it is good for vs to be put in minde of it, and theheauens vnto vs in the perfon of our Lord to haue God come backcagame to vs&tofay lefusChrifVj who hath taken poffefllon thereof vntovs, yeewre.chcdfolke, whatmeaneyee? for vs, to the end we might be fure that our abi- When I haue once taught you: the doftrinc that ding place & euerlaftmg refl is made ready for is concerned in my word oughc co foke chrouch- vs there. Seeingthen chat God hath bound vs lyinto you,andyctnotwithftandingyoubeihIl in fuch wife vnto him,is not our vnchankcfUnes like little babes. This is it (fay I) which we hauc double , yea or rather an hundredfolde more to doe, to the end we may findefauourinGods ihamefiUljthanthe vnthankfulncffeof chcpeo- ^q wordc,andbe nottnfhcd therewith as with our pleofoldetime? ordinarie foode.We muft affurc our felues, that Fiinhermore,whcreas God hath vouchfafcd the appointing of this order chat wcfhould be toholdonintheofficcofinflruftingjtotcachey preached vnto all the time of our life, andthac peoplewhichwasforude&rebellious:lctvs af- weefhoulde haucoureares beaten continually fure ourfelues that he docth die Lke towards vs with the thmgs,which we ought to vnderftande nowadaies.Yca & K ii requifics lor vsy he Ihould in one or two monethes, is not in vainc. A 1 Further- m 4 The i. Sermon Of Iohn Calvin. Furthermore, If we doe not fo , if we fubdue fame is fpoken alfo vnto vs : and wee muft re- notourfekiestothchearingoiourGodj&fuffer cciucitinfuchwife, as wee muft vndcrftande our fclues to be taught by him all the time of our , that God hath fhed forth his grace through the life :let vsbe afraidc leaft he execute tlic vcn- whole worlde by the commrng of his onely gcance vppon vs , which he threatned once to fonne, and bujldcd vp the hcaucnly lerufalem, the people of Ifraell by his Prophet Efay, fay- totheende that we ihoulde all be linked toge- Efa.iy.i I. jjjg |.j^„ J j^j jj^g fliould be to them as a booke ther in one holy brotherhood, to cal vpo him as fliut vp and fealed, fo as if it were offered to ' ourfatherallwithoncmoutli. Sithitisfothcn, ■ menof fkill, they fhouldfay, the letters arenot let vsvnderftand that it is good reafon that wee tobefcene, thcreisafcalc vponthcn, Icannot lo (houlde giueouer our felues vnto him, and that tell what is within it; And if it were offered to ig- he fhould hold vs in awe , and enioy vs , & that norant and vnlcamcd m^n : they (houlde an- like as he hath vouchfjfed to giue himfelfc vnto fwcre.wcbe not booke learned, weneucrwent vs, fo we on our fide fhoulde bee wholly his , to to fchoole, we cannot readc. LoehowGodpu- yecldc him the ductie which children owe to nifheth allfuch as walke on in their brutifhneifc, their father ; and that when we be negligent and and wil ncucr fubmit themfclues vnto him-True flowe therein , we fho uld at leaft wife be moued it is , that God bcarcth with vs for a time, and with the exhortaaons that are conteincd in this *hat(aslfaidafore)altlioughwebcworthytobe booke : and that feeing Godcallcth vponvsfo cut of from his houfe,-&to be bereft of his truth, earneftly,we fholdnot ftop our cares againfthim foashcfliould ciuc\-s vpintoSathans handes, lo but euerie man awake.and one of vs rebuke ano- «««}4'«0' j^Q^g jf ^Q(-g5 ^yho had fo excellent a record vpon men nor vpon any mortall creature , but as wee fee, infomuch that God ncuer raifed vp that the Luing God is the author,and will alfo be any Prophet equall or like vnto him: If Mofes the warranter thereof. y prince of all Prophets next vnto lefus Chrift, Now after he hath fpokcrt fo.he faith, n Therefore as well publikcly as pri- to commit day ly againft his Maieftic : praying uately, let vs bethinke vs to profite our felues by »o him tovouchfafetowipe them out through his this warning, & if wee haue dl receiued the do- freegoodnes,andcherewithalltobringvshomc ^inc that hath bin long preached vnto vs here- againe to him, and to worke fo in vs by his holy lofore : let vs confider that inafmuch as God fpirir.asourconfciencesmay be morafied from doth not yet giue vsouer, but vfethfuch mercy aay today.vntillweberiddequite andcleaneof towardes vs : his defire is to drawe vs ftiU vnto all the corruptions of our flerfi , to be clothed a- him,and therefore let vs prepare our felues,that gaine with his righteoufnes.And fo let T$ all fay, wc become not ftubborne agamft him, but ra- Almightic God hcauenly fathet,&e. On Munday the xxv. of March. 1555. Thfecond Sermon vpon thefirf} ^apter. 3 And it came to paflc,that in the fortieth yecre , the firft day of the elcucnth moncthjMofes fpake to the children of Ifrael, according to all the things that the Lord had commanded him to fay vnto them : 4 After he had ouercome Sehon King of the Amorrhy ts which dwelt in Hc- febon,and Og King of Bafan which dwelt at Aftaroth in Edrai. 5 Andfb Mofes began to declare the Lawc beyond Jordan in the landeof Moabjfaying: 6 The Lord our God fpake tdv$ in Mount Horcb, faying : you haue taryed long ynough ac this mountainc. 7 Turn« Vpon Devteronomie, Cap. I, f 7 Turne ye and depart , that ye may goc to the hill of the Amorrhy t(;s,and to all the Countries there aboutes,in the plaine about the hill , and in the lowe pla- ces towards the South.and vpon the fliore of the red fca, in the land of Chanaah, and in Libanus vnto theRiuer.cuen the great riuer of Euphrates. 8 Looke about y e , I haue fet the land before you, enter into it and poireiTe the land which the Lord God hathiworne to your fathers Abraham, Ifaac ,and Iacob,to giue it to them and to their feede after them. Haue toldc you alrcadie , that die doftrine which is conteincd here , is not the beginning of a matter.as thoughithadbinnew to the peoplc.and that God had not taught it them before : but a whom God commandcth to teache his people, flialldifcharge himfclfe thereof, howbcitbut as it wereby force: &fuchneceflltie,ifaman haue an eye vnto it,doth alwayes import a conftrainr, fo that all that euer we can doe {hall be nothing worth. And here the minifters of Gods worde are exhorted,not onely to preach the word that is committed vnto them : butalfoto do it with a free and cheerefuU courage , according alfo as confirmation of the things thatMofcs hadlpo- ken in Horeb , bicaufc the people had not profi- ted fo well by them as they ought to haue done. Andithatlibindeclaredfiirther, thatGodhad ro S.Paulauowcthittoberequi(ite,andproteftcth i.Cor.j.i';. fpent the fpaceoffortie) ceres or thcreaboutes thathe himfelfe didfo. And therefore let the example as well of Mofes as of S. Paul, fetue for our inftruiftion. Moreouer, let vsmarke alfo, thatvndcr this faying.o/'tfee lAwt,vi comprehended the rehear- fall of the things that Mofcs intended to make, of the things that were coma tu paffe. True k is that the word Lxa betokeneth teaching and in- ftruftion : and therefore a man might aske at infubduing y people, which had bin ouerllub- borneeucnat tlit very firtl, &could mnowifc abide to take his yoke. For this caufe is the time fetouthere , to the ende that wee might vnder- ftand,y the people ought to haue framed them- felues to fome obedience, after fo hard & fo long a chaftifcment as thy had endured. Befides this, there is one other circumftance : whichis , that y people had alreadie had fomevjftoric againft lo thefirftbluflijwhatinltruftionthcreisinthere- Ogking of Bafan and his neighbours , wherein they had had experience of Gods fauour. And I told you ythofe things were worthy to be mar- ked, bicaufe they bee the two mcanes whereby God draweth men vnto hira,to win them withal and to inioy them. On the one fide he chaftifcth them, to y ende they may Icarnc to obey him as being vnder his handSc authoritic : and on the othedide he vlcth gentlenclTe , to make men in port of ftqries. Itis not without caufe, y Mofcs hathfaydefo. For when God puttethvs m re- membrance of our finnes, and of thebenefites y he hath bellowed vpon vs , and ofthe chaftifc- mcnts which wee haue recciued athishand:it ought to teache vs to our profit. Gods fettingof (tich things afore vs, is not to make vs paftime: but tothe end, that on the one !idc wc fhould be the better difpofed lo feme him, and to continue loue with him, and to confider that nothing is jo in his feare: and on the other fide be trained and better for them , than to fticke to him at whole hand they looke for all welfare. And both of thcfe are cxprefl'cd hereby Mofes: namely that y people had lingeredin the dcfert fortic yeercs long, feeling Gods horrible punifhmet for their Shrinking away fr5hiai:&yet neuertheles, had ouercome Sehon & Og & fuch like kings , how- bcit not by their own power,but by Gods helpe. Wherefore let vs Icirne to profite our felues. allured to refort vnto him , and to feeke all our welfare and all that euer bclongeth to our fa]- uatiottj^t his hand. Wc fee then howe it is not without caufe, that Mofes giueth the name of Live otDofirine, to the reheailall of things that were come to pafle , forfomuch as by y meanes the people ought to haue bin led vnto God,& to haue bin the better edified. And therefore let vs marke.that when we reade the holy ftories, it is as well by Gods fcourges when wee bee beaten aq notonely to know what hath bin done , toy end with them for offending him , as alfo by his be ncfites whereby he witnefleththatheis readic toreceiuementohismercie, and to hauepitie vpon them when they returne vnto him. And let fuch knowledge mike vs tcachablc.Whenfo- cueritpleafcthGodtopreachs his worde vnto vs, let vs haue our heartes open toreceiucit: letvsbeplyableto followe that which he com- maundeth : & to be (hort, let vs yeeld our felues wholly to his goodnelFe. Now it IS (aid here , that Mofet ixpaunied tht Zj«w«,howbcitthat in y Hebrew there isaword which fignifieth , thathe vouchfafedtor lifted to dt- cttrtiheLtxft. And that fciueth to (hew ftill that he perform ;d his commiirion with a free cou. tagc or willing rainde. Font may bee chat he we may be able to talke of it : but to the end we fliould behold there the grace of God towardes y faithliil in dcliucring them. Alio we muft con- fider after what maner he hath exerciled his children in patience, and made them to wade through many affliftions.that their faith might bee try cd; andconfecjuently howhe neuerfor- faketh them at the point of neede and nccefli-' ue. Againc we muft confidcr the iufticc that he JO hath executed in punifhirigfuchas haue done amilTe and tranfgrefTed his will. If we haue fuch regardeand difcretionwithvs , the Stories will bee as an inftruftion to vs . For wee fli^ll bee better alfured by them ,than if G O D didbiic fimplytell vswhit he rcquirech at ourhandes and what our duetic is. That then is the thing A 4 vviiich 8 The 2. Sermon Of ToHN Calvin which we haue to beare in minde : & it will be a the bondage of the diucU and of linne : we fliiJI good preparatiue for vs to the thinges that are haue him to be our guide for cuer/owc hearken tocnfue. For otherwife it would be thought an tohisvoyce, and doubt not but he thinkethvp- vnproficable thine, to knowe that Mofes chofc onvs and will continually leadevsftill. men to goucrne me people, & that on the other Moreouer he fayeth , Let dtt feofte ttime ttnd fide the people followednot Gods commaunde- irtiatowirdsththiOofthejtmorrh^tts.&fromthut mcntmpurfuingitheir enemies, and fuch other inuaitandpojfejji theiandof Chanaan,ivhetherittt Lke thinges. Whatbaue wee to doc with thofc ihepiayneCountriei, or the dnnet, ertht defertn ,or things,wiil fome men fay ? Bu: forafmuch as wc thefeacoajlet : for /t*/ Forafmuch as wee be inclined to vnbeliife , and would cuer be wa- uenng if we were not well vnderpropped: there- fore docth he fweare tothccnde loftabLfhe vs the better. Seing then that God fwcarcth to vpholde our weakenefle : let vs conlider , firft that we be too vntoward , if wee cannot bclecue his fin- glewordc:and iecondly that his goodncirc is ineftimablc , in that it pleafeth him to beare with vs , and to fweare for the confirming of ourbcliefe . And herewithall we haue to note alio, that we muft not feeke Gods will in the aire, but content our felucs with his word ;and thatfeeingit hath plcafed him to fliewe him- fclfe vnto vs , and to giue vs warrant of his kethvstorccciiie thefood of our fcules by it, Ourfaluationrauftncedcs goe forewarde , and wee muft ncedes be ftablidisd in it, inluch wife, as wee mayouercommethcworldeand aitaine to the kingdome of hcaucn . Thus yec fee whn c we haue to beare in mindc , when as mention is made here, of the proniife that God fware to the auncicnt fathers that were dead long time afore. And it is fayd expre iXdy, that AiraJiam, Ifaai, md Ucob weretbeirfatheri ■■ to the ende that they might knowe thcmfelucs to bee the fucceflors of the bJeffing that had bin promifed . And therefore he addethjitd/ God hadfti-crne to njue that land to Abraham ,lfaak^ , and Jacob , and to their offering. As though Mofes fhould fiy, that Gods promile is not difanuUed.but muft now prefently takeeffcift, and be accomplillicd in d-.cir p^-r- fons .Hath Godfaid fo, faith he? Then muft you vvi.'l, we muft holdc vs to it, and refte wholy ^^ confider , that he fpake it notonelyto your fa. vppon It. Now then , will wee beefure that God will neuer faile vs , neither in this lyfe, nor after we bee gone hence > Will wee haue an infalLblc hope oftlijheauenly lyfe? Let vs haue our eye vppon the promifes : let vs not wander here and there as a nomberdoe , which are car)'cd away with fonde curiofitie : but let it luffice vs that God hath certified and taught vs , that thets which heard the promife, but alio to [[ you which are] their offpiing. For it is exprtilely Gcn.\8. ij fayd , that Abraham flinuld teach his children thewayes, rightes,iudgciTientcs, and ftatutcs ofthe Lord. Then was it forthe children oflC. rael , to haue rccciued the promife that had bin made in olde time to their fathers,as if God had Ipoken it within freih remembrance . And in dcede wee ought to wey well this circumftance. hewilnotontlybeafathertovstoguyde vs in .^ For it is not to thofe only which were at the be this worlde, but alfothat hee will neuer leaue ginning ofthe Gofpell,thatGodfayth,Ireceiuc vs,fo as wee (hall alwayes be goucrned by him , and that when hee hathtryed our faith, wee (hall haue flill fruition of the thingcs that arcpromifed vs: and when weebec once riddc of this mortsll body , wee fhall bee rayfcd vp againe , and inioyc an immortalitie which is hidde from vs as now . Let vs content our fclues ;( fay I) with this word of Gods mouth for all you for my people : but his wil is that y fame do- Arin'c fliouldbc preached ftil.to the worlds end. Let vs note then, that we alio are comprehen- ded with them that heard the word of god at the beginning.And forafmuch as his grace reacheth out vnto all men , and is common to all nges : it becommeth vs to giue erne to it, feeing it is ap- pointed and offered vnto vs [ as well as to therthings.&lctvsnotfcan after our ownefoo- them.] And why > For it is not to S. Peter and to hfti fancies how the matter ftiall goe :but haue S.Paulonely,thatGodhathlayd,I amyour Sa- Goddiicefpokenthewordc, let vs holde vsto ..... it . And that is it which Mofes meant here, in faying , God fwarc to your fathers . Morcouer wee muft note , that the doftrine which is fct forth in the name of God , (erueth notforoneageonely, but for all euer,andkee- peth his force and ftrcngth continually. Abra- ham , IlaaW , and lacob were dead and rotten in the earth when thefe thinges were fpoken : ,q butyet the promife that God had made to them was aliue ftill . Although then that men bee jnortall and tranjitorie : yet is Gods worde euerlafting . And if it bee the feedeof the vn- corruptible lyfe, necdes muft it be endlefieand exempted from all corruption. Therctoreletvsniarke, that Gods fpcaking in olde time , was not to the ende that his do- &inefhould be bury ed after an age ortwaine; uiour : but he hath ordeyned them to be mcf- fengersofhisgoodnes.thatwc might be taught by their mouth , and we doubt not but God will doe the lyke to vs as he did to them . Thus ye fee what we haue to confidcr , ■when as it is fayd that God promifed the land of Chanaan for an iiihcritancc to the whole Lnnge of Abraham , and vnto them that fliould dcfcend of his race. And in very dcede itbehoued the people al- wayes to come back to this faying-I am thy God Gen, 1 7, 7. ,-ind the God of thine ofspring attcr thee . And againe vnto this, I am the Lord which fheweth Deut,?.^. mercie to a thoufand generations : as we /hall fee hercafter.Now,this was not l.iid for that one tymc one]y,it muft be accomplidied nowadayes alfo.Theletvs confidery God h.iuin!? once pli- ledy warrant of our faluation,will h.iue it goe foreward dayly, foasweftiouldknowc yhccal- but that it flioulde be fct before vs to the ende ^q leth vsto the polleflingofhis kin^dopie ,&th.u ofthe worlde ,and we receiue it with all reuc- rence . I.)kcwife atthis day, although the Pro- phets and Apoftks be dead : yet doth GOD ♦votke ftill by them , & the word that is brought simong vs in thefe daycs , notonely hath his liueJy force, but alfo >(trd.k% which Abraham had of the vifible land, was fpi- if he (hould fay , Go to , your God hath called ritual. For although in mans opinion he had you longer time than you be aware of. For in ■ ■ - no whit at all of it, but was like to haue bin driue deede, the promife of faluation was giuen vs be- out of it cucry day: yet poflcflcd he the thing fore we were created; yea euen before the crc- daatGodhnd promifed him. ationofthe world did Godchoofevs, as S.Paul Ephtt^" But now if we make comparifon between A- auoucheth:and againe he hath fetched vs backe t J>ct.a.x> braham and vs, hauc we not greater caufc to Lfr tohim.whcn wee wereascattellgone aftray. svpourhartestothe kingdome of heauen than 40 Loe how Gods meere free goodnefle fheweth it hehad, feeingwe not onely haue a mirror or felfe. We cannot alledge here any ftrengthor image ofitfet before vs by Godjbutalfo that le- any worthynefleof our owne: Wecannotfay, fus Chrift hath in his owne perfon opened vs oh, God hath payed vs our wages for our com- fuch a way thither, as our faith.may well atteinc ming vnto him: There is no iuch thing at all. to the glorie of God ? Therefore ought we to be But at fuch time as we were forlorne and dam- the better confirmed in the promife that God ned, our God opened vs the gate of faluation: hath made vnto vs , of aduauncing vs into his when we were in Satans bondcs , he did fet vs kingdome to enter into it as his lawfiill heires free : when we were become his vtter enemies thereof. & wercbaniflied out of his kingdom , he made And although wee doc but as it were jo vs heirs therof.Therforelyke as he hath freely Creepc on al foute here belowe vpon the earth , preuented vs, and fhewethvs ftil that it is of his and our body is to vs as a corrupublc and tranfi- owne meere grace , that we can attay ne to fal- torie lodging , and we be wcyed downe with uation : fo we on our fide muft not be negligenc thefe bace thinges : yet muft our true dwel- andflothfiJl:butfeeinghehathfpokenvntovs, Lng place needes be aboue , and wee our felues we muft alfo anfwere vnto him : feeing that he muft needes be citizens of heauen and ftUowes fay th,Go, marchan, let vs be going our way out with the Angels aforehand , and poifefle the of hand. thing aforeh'and by faith and hope , which wee When there is any talke of doing good or haue not as yet in very deede , as the holie fa- of feruing God , the Papifts imagine by and thers haue done afore vs, whonotwithftanding ^ bythatmenearne the kingdome of heauen by had not thinges opened lo plainely &manifeftly their owne defcrtes or merites : but the holy vnto them , at wee haue nowe , nor nothing fcripture holdeth the clcane contrary order , nee-re. as wee fee here , For why ? It is not fayde Thus fee you'the maner how Abraham,lfaak, that men bynde God to them by their mento- and lacob were not difapointed of y land which nous dccdes: but after that the inheritance i» God promifed to giuc the, although they neucr fctbeforcthem,andthatoffrcegift: and after Vpon Devteronomie, Cap. fhil.i.l}. Tici.tt. ith fhewcdthem , that nothing beareth fway in thatbehalfe but onely Gods goodneirj: then is it fayd vnto them , March forevard. Andfo wceleame to do; good, and to giue outfelues to the fcruingof God,& to become holy through his righteoufneile : not of purpofe to make him beholden vnto vs , but to followe his holy calling.leallwecfhouldreiea his grace, how- bcic that we cannot ftirre one iinger without , . ------- ,-—S-' """""- "iciigtii, anaintncnieanewnueicaueththem Godsworkmgmvsby hishouefpirit.For wher- lo atall aduentures: no,but he lavcth to them it that our Lord will put vs in pofleffion of the thmgesthathcoffcrcthvs: it giucth vs an in- uincible courage and conftancie to outftand all temptations. And therefore let vs wey wcl thefc wordcs where he fay eth.Gft^re htnce andfo/Stfie the land. Godfayethnotfinglyto his faithfull ones, poc your way es , fee what ye can doe , tryc your ftrength , and in the mesne while Icaueth them asitis fayd. Get yehence mdmtrch forerrard -.ith not for that the people was able foto doe : but when God hath once incouraged vs,he printeth his doftrine in our heartes and to the intent the fame (hould notbevnauailcable, he quickeneth vsvp.-andtobcfliort. heworketh fo mightily in vs, that after he hath once giucnvs willing- nefle , hee giucth vs alfo performance there- withal! , according as S. Paul auouchcth in the Go topofief^e -. As if he fliould fay , doc but oncly apply your felues to ferueraci and letmcalonc with the doing of It. for 1 will worke after (Lich a fort, ashethatendeuoreth to followe me fhall not lofc his labor.he Ihal not take painc in vain, I will make ail his doings to profper . That then is the thing that wee haue to marke vppon this ftreyne . And therefore what excufe is there for vs, if we followe not Our Lord whither foeuer r J 1. „L 1- ,r r I. , ",""tiuiiu»Yciio[ our Lora wmtner loeuer feeondtothePhilippians. Yet for al this, wee « he caUvs,confidering that this voyce CoeanJ muftbeare we mmmdcrhr rbino rh-irl 1t,.i» ^^ir./r. m /- S- J ' . niuftbearewellinmindcthc thing that I haue touched alreadye : which is , that Gods offering of his grace vnto vs , is not to the end we (hould as it were fall aflecpe and make none account of it: but to the endc wee fhouldebc quicker nedvptodoc good , according to this faying, that his goodneffe and loue which hee beareth towards men , is vttered to the intent to pur- chafe him a holy people fit for good workes,and fo/fe/fe, ought to found in oureares? And if it were fpokcn fory land ofChanaan, much more ■fhallitbe auowed and verified ftillat this day. Wherefore whenfoeuer we be flowe to obey God, loath to part from this world, or aftom- flied with diftrefles : let VS enter into fuch thoughts as thefe:Alas,is it poffible for -j.^ me to come vnto God? how may I ouercomc fo ma- nic andfo great diftreffes ? Itfarrefurmountetb r 7 7^7 •' '^ A. , ,? """'^"'-"" ,„ ""= aiiQio great oiitreiies ? ittarrelurmountetb [totheend]thatwe(houldvvalkcmaIIpurcnes, 30 aU my power and ftrength. When we be fo in wavtmeforthedilcouerie ofrhclufi- wlii/-liti<. ,..,r.,u,„j...j ■ u.;. ■ ■■ .. r waytmgforthedifcouerie ofthclyfe which he hath promifed vs. And if this had phce vnder the /hadowes of the lawe : much more muft we docit now in thcfe dayes , So then, let vs markc well; that Gods fertingof the infinite richesof his goodneffe and mercie afore vs and his ope- ning of the gate of heauen vnto vs , is to the ende we fhould mount vp vnto liim , jnd nd our fclucs of all earthly affcftions, feeking no- thing but to lift vp our heartes on high, and to 4*^ paflcoutofthis worlde , and to be discharged of all bondes and fetters thathinder vs and hold vs back,indeuouring with all our might to come vnto him , as they that know how this prefent lyfc is but as a race, and that men muft not loy- ler and linger here , but rather go ftill foreward according to gods calling of vs, who fayth. Come , Come , drawc neerer to me . And if wecgoe tohim , we fhall no morebc in daua combred and brought in perplexitie and doubr, let vsbethinke our felues thus: well, feeing ip hathpleafcdGodtofhewchimfelfe to mc.it is good reifon that I ftiould be contented with the aflurancethathehathgiuenme, and with the experience of his goodneffe which hee hath made me to feele. And fo muft we paffe on fore- ward ftill , notwithftanding all the temptatt* on J of diftruft that may come in our heads. And for a fiirther confirmation of our felues let vs alfo take ta vs this faying of his , 1 hMefel the knd before you : for it exprefleth yet better how they fliould poffcffe it . If men haue an eye but' to their owne power , and confi- dcr but their owne abilities ; they may well difthift arid vttcrly dcfpaire . But when wee knowe how it is Gods office to giue vs the ftrength which we want of our felues and to performe our faluation whereof he hirafelfe °r It V , , T .7 ftiiiJiuic our laiuacion whereot he hirafelfe gerofwandermg here and there , but we fliall Jo ,, ^he founder: that is the thing wherein ly- kcepconourwavtothemarktharGodhnrhO-r „,u „„_ n. a_j^i ^ = ..'-""""/ kcepc on our way to the mark that God hath fct before vs,and we wil ncuer reft till wee be come thither. Now herewithall , to the intent to incou- rage the people, Mdfes tclleththem that they (hal not trauelm vaine. Go ( fay th he)i«»«ipi)/7f//« »fc J Vii --. "--^i^^.^;r j>.iiicduy ui lus nana . INow it wc intend to lermngGod:wc would become lazic . and our ^o fare the better by his doftrine firft let vs hartes would favle vs cueV miniirr r>f on tiniir^ „„^ ^„r „f :ij 11 ■ .» hartes would fayle vs eue^ nunutc of an houre. But when we be furc that we runne not in vaine, and that God will reach vs his hand , foas wee needenotto feare but our matters fliall come to paffe , though Satan ftreyne himfelfe to hin- der vs : when wc ftand >'pori fuch a furc ground put out of our mindcs all vaine imaginations of our owne ftrength , of our owne freewill, and of all that euer men haue furmifed . For diofe are the thinges wherewith the dwell hath made men drunken, and beguilcth them ftiU, by bearing them in hand that they can doe much ki The 3. Sermon Of Iohk Caivin much of thcmfelues . And we fee how the Pa- from hence to hcauen i Then feeing kis fo.let jpiftes arc puffed vp with that diueLfli pryde yet vs rcfort to our God , let vs put our Iclues wholy ftil at this day.Thereis defcanting among them into his hand , let vs reft vppon his onely grace, t)f their ownc Freewill , there is defcanting of and let vscal vppon him with lowlyneffc andrc- their owne forewardnefle : and yet as able folkc uerence . And therewitliaJl let vs walke on in as they be , ihey doc no fooner fet foorth one fuf h fort , as we fufFer him to guide and goucrne ftep.but they be ready to break their necks.And vs , affuringour felues that hec will neuer faylc well worthie: for Godmuftneedes laugh their vs. For if we procecde after thatfa/hion , wee ouerweeningto skorne, yeaorrathcr punifhir, (halfinde that the truft which we haue to attamc becaufc it is a robbing of God . But whereas lo tofaluation, will notpuffe vs vp with all felfc- it is (ayd , . that it is Godvhich hath fet the Imd at weemng, but make vs to yeeld God his due ho- their iommamdmtm : let vs vnderftand that norinthenameofourLordlefusChrift. there is no ftrength in vs , and that we muft Nowelet vs kneele downe in the prefence rid our felues of aSfelfctruft. And when webc ofourgoodGod,withacknowlcdgementofciur fo beaten downc, thenlet vstakeheartagaine, faultcs , praying him to make vs fcele them alTuring our felues that God will goe through more &more,and that therewithal wc acknow- withhisworkc, and thathe hath not forgot his ledging our infirmities , and perccyuing our cunning , and that he will neuer giue oucr till he felues to be poore and naked of all goodnefle , hauc brought the things to pafle which hehath may nmne wholy vnto him, foaswcfecingthac promifed vs. Againc,ifitwercfo thatthcland *o there is no caulc why we (hould glorie in our ofChanaan was to be fet before the people of felues , may feeke our whole glorie in his onely Ifraelj&thatthefamewastobedone by yhand goodnefle an4 merryc. And that forafmuch as of God : I pray vou mull not wee be faync to wee haue not nowe an onely Mofes to leade vs haue the kingd'omc of heaucn fet before vs? into thelandofChanaan.butlefusChiift which fyesfurely.] For that people had but mortal! is come downc vnto vs todrawcvsvpinto hea- men to ouercome , that they might enter into uen after him: we may follow fuch a guydcjycel- thepofleflionofaftrangccountrie.Butwemuft ding our felues wholy vnto him , and in no ouercome Satan the prince of the world , wee ' wife drag^ng backe from him , faying he will muft ouercome an hundred thoufand enemies hauc vs to come vnto God his father. That it that fight againft vs , yea and all that euer wee j o may plcafc him to graunt this grace not onely haue of our owne muft be done away . Wee muft to vs , but alio to aJlpeoplc and nacions of the flyc vp on high : and what a diftance is there earth. &c. On Wednefday the xxviu of March. 1 5 jT 5J The third Sermon vppeii tbejirfi Chaffer. 9 And at the fame time I fpake to you , faying , I cannot beare you my felfe alone: 10 The Lord your God hath multiplyed you: and behold, you are this day in nombcr as the ftarres of the skye . 11 The Lord the God of your fathers makeyoutoincreafea thowfand times as many as you be , and bleflc you as he hath fayd vnto you. 12 How fliall I alone bcare your coniberance , charge , and ftrifc? 13 Bring me from among you , men of wifedome and vnderftanding , and trj'cdmen , according to your try bcs, and I will make them your heades. 14 Then anfwered you me and fayd; It is good to doe as thou had fayd. I J Then tookc I the heades of your tribcs,mcn of wifedonieand skil , and made them gouernersouer you, rulers ouer thowfandcs , ouer hundreds, ouer fifties , oucr tennes , and officers among your tribes. I Mong the benefites that God takeorderforthegouemineofthem, Andnow beftowed vppon the people Mofes putteth die people in remembrance of Ifrael after his deliucring how God hadbin their guide at all times , and ofthcmfromthe thraldomeoftfo hadnotoncly bin contented to rid them out of ' Egypt , one is that he did al- the horrible thraldome wherein they had bin -^ waycslay hold on them to go- held , but alfo had eftabliihcd fuch a. guuem- uernethem. For without that , what would be- mcntandftate among them , as there was no come ofmen? If all thinges be well confidcred. letbutin thcmfelues , that they might not liue there is Icfle goucrnment in them, than in brute in quiet , and alfo walke in all kind of vprightncs. beaftes. So the,ic wa$ needcfi4 (hac Cod fliould It is all one therefore as if Mofes fltoud fay, Sete VponDevteronomie, Cap. 1. 13 See how greatly ye be beholdento yourGod: that although God hauebcftowcdlusfpiritmoft Forhchatheucry wayprouidcdwcllforyou:he plentifully \pponvs: it is not to the end tbatwc hath continujlly pitied you, and byallmeancs fhoiddholdskoineoftheaduiceandcounllllof procured your welfare. Andm very dccde , the fuch as arc meaner than our fcluis.Fory meanc remembrance of Gods benefices , ought to pro- and very knot wherewuh God willhauc vs knit uoke vs continually to fcrue him the better: and and loyncd togithcr : is that the grcate ones whenwefcethat hehath not fayled vs in any (houldrtoopctothslcaft, andallagrec in one. thmg, is it not reafon that wcihouldebe the Moreouer, as hathbecne declared already,al- morcdifpofcdtoyeeldeourfelues wholyto his though Icthro was the inftrumet to put Moles ui obeifance JForhefhewethhowdecrc webcvn- lo niindofit:yetoughtittobcimputcdvnto God, to him , what loue he bcareth towardcs vs, and who had a care to prouidi for the benciite and what a care he hath of our weldomg , when he fafetic of his people, y he might not faile them procurcth it after I'uch mancr. in any thing. And to thismtcntis it that Mofcs And by th? way, wee haue to note here for a fpeakcth thereof. Now let vs come to the words fpeciall poy nt.that when God fcttcth a good or- that are fct downe here. Wherefore let vs vndcrftid , hygher a man is exalted . the more alfo is he B bound J4 Tnt 3. Sermon Of Iohn Calvin bound both to God and to themouer whom he is fct , inafmuch as there is no prehcminence without burthen , yea or rather without bodage as I fayd afore. M arke that for one poynt. But we muft alio bcarcin minde, that wee haucno abi- Ltie at all of our felues , and therefore much leflc is any man to be found fufficient to bcare fo great a burthen. There cannot fo fmalj a charge be committed vntovs , but the fame is able to make our fhoulders (lirinke , yea and euen to 10 the charges or offices which he allotteth vnto vsbefotroublefome, that we muft be fame to grone vnder them . Whatfocuer come ofit,lec vs hold this rule: namely to fubmit our felues to Gods calling, and tofoUowehim whither foe- uer he will haue vs . And aboue all thinges let vs pr.iyvntohimto(upplyourwantes : and in the meane time let vsnot take too much vpon vs,but let vs meafure our charge by our abilitie. Were this wel followcd.wce fliould not fee Co bow too . For our infirmitie is fo great, that who- foeucr fit'teth himlelfc throughly without hypo- crifie and foothing, (hall fee that he is able to doe as good as nothing at aU. Therefore if we think wtl vppon fuch weaknefl"e,it wUbe as a bri- dle to reftraine vs from clymbing fo high . For what followeth but vtterconflifion , when men will needcs be honored , and yet in the meane whik not difcharge their duetie , but rather make th:mfclucs as Idols, and moreouei^not haue any regard at all of their owne abiLtie? Furthermore wee muft marke alfo for a thyrd point, that although Mofcsfawe the bur- then to be ouerhcauie for him : yet he did not quite and ckane renounce his calling , to giuc oucithe office that God had committed vnto him: but fought to be helped and fuccorcd , fay- ing, Ler men be chofen &c. And this is well wor- thietobc noted: for there might haue bin two many outragious diforders eucrywhere as there be. For what hath caufed fo barbarous tyran- ny in theChurch, as is tobefeene in the Pope- dome? Behold, the pope hath vfurped anvni- ucrfall fupremacie ouer the whole world. For there muft needes be one head fayth he. Verily as who fhould fay that Icfus Cnrift were dil- charged , who is ordeined to be the head both of men and Angcls.No:but the Pope will needes o thruft the fonnc of God out of his place. But if ^pf>' *•*«»' he wift what it is to reigne ouer the whole world: ^'''•'•'°» would he not be loath to take vpon him fo vn- poffible a charge ? yes: but it coft him nothing to call himfelfc the vniuerfal head, and to fpread out his wingcs euery way . Therefore that diue- lifh pride ofhis was the caule of the breaking & renting afl'under of the order which God had fct, according as S. Paul fpcakcthof it in the -ptj - ,j; fourth to the Ephefians, where he fayth that our faulcie extremities , The one is that which wee ,0 LordlefusChriftis gonevp into heauen to fill haUw Condemned already : that is to wit , that men haue not an eye to their owne flcnder- nclfe , but beare them felues in hand that it is a matter of no importance to be in authoritie. And that is it. that maketh him fo ralhe and boldc CO gripe more than they be able to weelde, by reafon whcrof they fee themfelues confoun- ded in the ende, but it is too late firft. For this foolilh ouenveening maketh men to forget them lelucs, and to take too much vppon them for want of confidering their owne vnabilitie: and of fuch fonde enterpryfes can come nothing but cuill, becaufe God punilheth them for tliem. Nowc there is alio an other eudl extremitie, which is , that when men fee themfelues to be very frailc , they become faintharted and there- upon, ifGod call them to anie office of charge, they pluckehacke their neckes becaufe they fee the burthen cumberfome for them , and wouldc all thinges , and yet in the meane while hath not forfakcn h is Church . For he hath ordeyned Shephcardes(faythhe)&men inecte to teach. Andheaddeth that that is according to the meafure of euerymembet.that we might al grow together , and lefus Chiift reigne ouer vs in cheefe place. Thus doth SaintPauldiftribute the offices in fuch wife , as cuery man mUft haue his por- tion ot them, becaufe there is not any one man y is able to doe all . But this order which ought to be vnuiolable , is rent aftUnder by the diuelifh prydeofthePope. And afterwardhistaile,& the vermin ofhii rltrgie haue followed thcfame:for there is none of them all that mindcch his charge. When they angle for their benefices ,doe they confiderthac Gods calling of them is with condition , that they fhall yecld an account of the foides that fame fhakeolFthe yoke, and fhun the vocation j namely that the outward fhowes deceiue not him , but that he looketh vpoii tliat which is within. Thus much concerning the firft point. But wee muft apply this texte to the fame vfethatMofcs puttethit : which is , that after the example of God , wee mud hauc this vnpar- tiaLuein vs,foaswce will not bee drawen one way nor other by the thinges that appcarc in Terfon, and there ncedeth none other gloie 30 men. And this is a very profitable or rather from ellewhere . And it is aphrafe of fpeache which wee fliallfee in other textcs hereafter. Therefore it behoueth vs to acquaint our felucs v/ilh the termes and plirafes of the holy Ghoft, that the thinges which are contained here may notfeemcrtraunge vnto vs. Howbeit by the way , that wee may fare tlie better by the things that are declasedhere, let vs marke that the chiefc reafon and ground ncedefull doftrine . True it is that this isfpo- kcnexpreflelytoludges and gouernours , in as much as God hath taken them neere to himfelrc by fettmg them in his owne feate,and by willing them to execute his office inthisworlde : and therefore ought they alfo to haue the greater care to followe vprightneflc, that they fuffer not themfclucstobeeperuertedby the thinges that arc to bee feene in men. But yet for all that , e- of this doftrinc, is bicaufe there is no accepting 40 ucry manforhis owne part ought to take war ofperfons before GOD. For the fame caufc ought Judges to haue a ftay of themfelues, and to keepe them clcare from all confiderati- ons that may thruft themafide, ormake them RoBi.i 5.1. to fwanie one way or other : namely ( fay 1) for Deuc.10,17 chat they reprefent the Maieltie of God, in as much as he hath made them his officers. Now then , there is no accepting of perfons before God , that is to fay, when he iudgeth he hath no ning to follow Gods cxamp]c,and to frame him- fclfe thereafter , according alfo as Saint Paul Colof.+i. fcndeth vs thither , when he fpeakcth of bond- men arid of men of bace degree that are eafie to •bee opprefl'ed , bicaufe men take kaue to doe c- iiillwhen they fee that a fillicfoule cannot rc- iienge himfclfe , and that if he haue any vrrong done vnto him he muft bee fame to put it vp pa- tiently : by reafb^ wherof they prefume y more refpett to the thinges that menrcearde. and jo boldlytofay , O,asfor him, whenlhauedone wherewith they bee drawen too and fro , lb as they iudge not vprightly any more.bicaufe their exceflweafFeftions doe oucrraaifter them. And this faying , that tliere is no refpeft of perfons with G O D J extendeth verj' fane. For when as Saint Pcterfpeakethofit, firft in the tenth of Aft.io.;4. the Aftcs, and afterward inhisEpifllc, he/he- *'«P*»'-»7 weth that God chofc whom he hlled out of the whole world , in fo much as he palled not whe the word to him that I can , he hath no mcancs to hurt mee. Thus arc wee the bolder when wc fee that men arc bace & haueiiosiiaintenance. But in this cafe Saint Paulfaicth that wee muft Jifte vp our eyes to heauSl^rand that forafmuch as there is no refpeft of perfons before God.wee muft not tliinke wee (hall cfcape vnpunilhed when wc abufe the priuiledge & authoritic that hcfiuethvs. He theny dcfpucth his neighbour ther they were lewcs or Genulcs .Whofoeuer ^q ought to thinke thus:yetnotvvftandine,we haue doetli good ( faicth he ) {hall haue the fauour of God, and as for Circumciiion or vncircumciii- on , they fhall none of them both bee made ac- couutof. Tnieitis that God muft bee faine to looke mercifully vpon vs , before wc can do any good. For of our owne nature w^c bee vtterly a comon iudge in hcauen , & akhou^I be now rich & honorable to the worldward , although I be in authoritie &eftimation , yctwhen I come thither,all this geare mull cealTe : and although my couterpartie be now defpL'cd,& haue no ma to ftad by him, yet hath he a defender in hcaue. B 4 Lo 20 The 4.SERM0N Of loHN Calvin Lo here (fay I ) what ouohc to beatc downe all falles to finging and playing , and eatcth & drin- prideinvs,to the end that noneof vsaduance keth at his homes, and flecpeth when he Lfteth, himfclfc , nor take more vpon him than is law- without hauing any care or regarde of his mai- fiJl,ncthinkehehath leaue todoeeuill,vnder fter. Doeth not the feruaunt that forgettcth his colour that our counterparties ate ofnocredite maifter after that fafliion, defcruetohauemen and authoride. Letvs not taric till ordinarie to fpitte in his face ? Nowcthcn, if ludgcscon- luftice doe redrcfle our extoifions , or till thofe fider not of whome they holde their eftatc and whom God hath fet in his place to ludgc with- dignitie : their vnthankcfldncflc or rather bloc- out rcfpeft of peifons, doepunifh vs for com- kiftnefleistootooftiamefuU&beaftly.Againe, mittingoffome outrage: but let euery ofvsre- 1° if Judges knowing themfelucs to bee fet vpof member this lefl'onhere,namely that inafmuch God , doe neuerthelefle Ihrinkq from their due- as God regardeth not any outward fliowes at alj ticforfeareof men, and bee flopped and held it bchouetheucry'ofvsalfo to frame himfclfc to backe from doing the things which theyknowc the like vprightncfle and jndiftcrcncie. they ought to do, bicaufe men are againfl: them: And forafmuchas men do always putvs in whatyeelde they vntoGod ? what eftimation fearc/o as there fpring from thence the foreft haue they of his power ? And yet fot al that, and worft temptations tliat can be to hinder the God hath taught them their leflbn.and ptomi- pcrfourmance of our duetic : Mofes waincth fed them to ftande by them , and to bee their Judges c>;prcfly,not tobe afraydcofmcn. Why? defence. Seeing it is (o,ought they not to make Tor the iidgement is Godi, fayethhe. Loe here a lo abucklarof his iiiiiinciblc power , and to tight text well worthy to bee marked. I haue tolde luftily though al the world fliouldftepvpagainft youalreadie , that which experience fteweth thcmrlsnotGodmightieynough toaydethem too much : that is to wit, that they which other- and fuccour them,if they trufted thereunto,fo as wife ate of good nature , doe ncucrtlielcffe o- they wouldc reft vpon it , andplucke vpahucl/ iierflioote themfelues through fearefulncfle. courage and conftancie to goe on in the right Ye fliall fee a man in the place of luftice , who way ;- Yes : but elfe , if they bee moued by fuch being not cuillofhimfelfe, would that all fhould ' temptations to fwarue from their duetie : lee goe well , it grieueth him when he fecth any them alfure themfelues that God wil leaue them fault, and he could finde in his heart that euery deftitute of his power. Thus then wee fee, that man fliould br)'dle himfclfe , or elfe that there 3° this ftreine (aslfaidcafore) imporceth a very fhouldbe fome good correftion when any men profitable doftrine. haue done amifle : but in the meane whyle , for- But yet wee muft note alfo , that this pcrtey- afmuch as he feeth that tliete will be fome grud- neth not only to them that are in authoritie : but e;ing and mifliking of the matter, £ he thinketh alfo to all men in gcneraU.For there is as it were thus with himfelfe:]]What"6hall I prouoke eue- a comparifon made betwcene God and roortall rymantoangct againftmee? Thatmanhath men. And why? For nothing beguilethvs more, kinffolke andtricnds , and fuch a one is able to than that wee make too great reckeningof men, beeuenwithmeif I troublchim. Againeforaf- and info doing cyther diminiflie God , orabo- much as naughtineifereigncth euery wherCjand lilh his highnelfc . As oft as men come in our wicked folke haue their full fcopc, and aremoft 40 minds,Godisnobody incomparifon:infomuch in number: I (hall bring all theworldin mytop, as if wee put him in ballauncc , hee feemeth &ifImindeto difcharge my duetie, I muft not lighter than a feather : whereas men doe al- fet mv felfc againfl two or tlrree oncly , but I fee waves keepc their full weight with vs . Surely if that all arc corrupt, and there is no man but he wcewcre about to compare other men with our rcfiftetliweldomg.They therefore which other- felues, wee couldefet them light ynough : for wife fcare God-and wouldc miniftcr right and euery of vs woulde make much of himfelfe. Or iuftice when they fit in iudgement, areletted ifweewere toconfider oneraan with another: through fearefi-iliiefle. If theyftand in awe of looke whom wee lyked otf, he (hould giiie grea- men,they fhallfurcly bceiliaken downe. And tcftglofl'e to difgrace the thinges that were to why ? Bicaufe they bee not grounded vpon the jo bee miflyked in the contrarie partie :in!omucli foundation that Mofes layetn here , namely that that wee fay , tuflie what is he ? he is no body. the iudgement is Cods. They knowe not ( fay I) For why ? Wee woulde make farre greater efti- that they offer great di/honour and rcproche mation of the other. Thus ye fee hovve wee vnto God, when they preferrc men before him. couldfloll to difgrace men. But come we once For he that fwarueth from hisducrie for fcare, to GOD, he muft bee as good as caft downe, cifcemcth me more than God. why fo?A ludgc and men muft bee fet vp in his place. Lo howc oughttoronfidcr,thatGod hathfctliimin the fpytefiill and frowarde wee bee . So much place where he is, with another maner of coun- the more therefore docth it ftande vs on hand tenance than otlicr finiple creatures.For he that to mark this faying,where it is declared y if God fittcthinthefeateof Iufticc,fittcthintheroome 60 come in place , it is not for vs to make anyrec- ofGod , .ind is as his Lieuctenant. Aludge keningofmen. Foritisa great trayteroulhcfle therefore ought to confider that : and if he doc that men or creatures fhouldc bee in fuch e- not.hcforgcttethGod.whoni hewasboundto ftimacion, thatGodsrightfliouldbee defaced, feruc. Itisallcneasifaman beingfeecdby his or any thing bee plucked from hira . And maifter to doe him leruice, knowcth not whe- yet for allthat, we fee it is too common a thing, thcrtherebeeam.iiftcriiithc houlcorno, but &tt hmdcrcth vs tliac wecannotfeiuc GOD a) Vpon Devteronomxe. Caf.ij m as we ought to doe. True it is that cuery man things at their own fwindge,and God is no body js turned away by his owne luftcs , infomuch at al wirfi them.But yet in this tcxtMofes tclkth that although wee haue none other to with- them, that be they neuerfo great kings&prin- ftande vs , y et haue wee inwarde incupiberan, ces , theii fupcnontie ought not to diminift the cesoi our owne, and our nature isfofmfull, as authoricie otGod.that his glory fhould not con- wee cannotin any wife apple our felues to doe tinuc alwayes vnappaircd.Why forFor what clfc good. But yet is there this inconuemcnce arc the princes ofthc world than Gods officers, more in it , that affoone as another man comes totheendy bytlieirmeaneshe mightbcobcy-^ inplace.byandbyweebec at our wittesende. ed,and al men do him homagc.fo as tlic hiehcft 1 would fame doe my duetie (fay we), but what? lo fliould begin & giue example to the lowcll ■ Sec- Then muftlpurchalemcfuch a mas difpleafuic. ingthtn that the iudgementis Gods ; they that Wecfec noweadayes thata mancannot plea- peruerttheordcrof gouernmentwhcn they be liirc men. except hce doe as the worldedoeth, callcdtodothcirdiictie,{halbedouble blamed. and foUowe the byaflc of other men . And a- And therfore fhal Kings and Princes and al fuch gaine , beholdc heere my neighbour , hec will as arein roome of Iufticc,haue a verie harde ac- alwayes bee at deadly foode with mee, if I fa- count to makc.Forifthey do amiifc, they be not {hion not my felfe to his manner of dealing: boundaloncly vntomcn,neitherhauetheyoftc- bcholde , (uch a man is my friende , I mull ded creatures onely: but they haue violated the necdes bcare him out . Hence come all priuie maieftie of God,and defiled his fcate . Whyfo? packings and other lewde trickes, namely that jo Becaufeiudgementbelongcth vntohim,andhs cuery man defpifeth God , to pleafc his neigh- referueth it to himfclfe. boror his friend.For whc vicesreigne.as whore- But Lke as it is laid of the execution of Iiiftice: dome, dixinkennefle, and other dilbrders , lb as folet vs note that it belongeth alfo to the fpiritu- cuer)' man is infcfted by j example of his neigh algoucrnement which god hath ordcined m his bor, &or.ccatchethdifcafes of another : what Church: yea and this doftrineoUght to bee kept isthecaufeof althis?Itisforthat weaduaunce more ftraitly in that refpcft.thanm the earthly men too much , and confider not that it were gouemment.Why rWhen God ordcincth kings^ mccte for vs to abafe both great and fmall, and Princes and Magiftrates : there witha 11 he gi- ro frame our felues earneftly to the will of God. ueth them authoritie to make Lawes . True it is, Now therfore let vs bethinke vs fo much the 30 that they ought to learneiheniin hisfchcole, tetter ofthisdoftrinc that is fet down here, not according as it is laid that lawes and ordinances p . , only forludgcs but alio for aE men in common : which are made in commo weales, do take their '' {That is to wittejthat forafmuch as the iudgc- force of Gods wifedome.But yet for al that, ciuil jnent is Gods,we muft not in any wife be fhakea or politike lawes are made by men. Yet notwith- smy more by mc.but giue God his preheminece, ftanding God hath not refigncd any thing , y he & thruft downe all confideration of men , fo as if ftiould not hold ftil the foueraine dominion oucr men vex vs wee fet our felues againft them,and men.l meane cuen in refpeft of outward pohcy. be not fo lewd as to rob God of that wihich belo- And as touching the Ipiritual gouernment ofthe geth vnto him,to furnifh creatures therewithal Church.we know thatGod wilbe heard, and that Thus y ee fee what we haue to remember heere. ^o ^^^ wil haue his word obeyed aboue all things , lb Moreoueralfo, whereas it isfaidethat the as men may not take vpon them to make laws & ludgemem it Godt : that fpeech importeth ano- ftatutes,but muft hold themfclues contctcd with ther good leflbn. True it is that Mofes fpeaketh that which he comniandeth them . For the rule heere of the roome that ludges and Magi- thatiscontcincdinhiswordisthevcryperfefti- ftrates holde: as if hee fhoulde fayl, they haue it ' on it felf.Therfore when we go yp into the pulpit^ notinfeefimpleor asaLordfliipofinhcritancc, it is not to vtter our owne dreames and dotages. butasanoffice:anuGodinfettingthcminthat why fo ? For God referueth the mafterfliip and degree of honour , refigned not his owne maie- chiefe fuperioritie ftilj to himfelfe , fo as hce will fiie tofay, Sirs, you (hall reigne with abfolute haueme toreceiuehiswordjtoreftwhoUyther- power,andIwillhenceforthbecnobodie.God p vpon without any fwaruing at all from it. Seeing therefore, when hee did thus fet men in office, that God hath once fet it downe fo: it bchoueth did not for all that diminifh his owne eftate.For vs to reft vpon it. Had this bin well obferued in heeholdethftiUthc fouereine dominion ouerall thewxjrld.thereffiouldnotbefo great troubles & inen,and they ought to bee but as inftrumentj variances at this day as there are. Whence come ofhispower,andconfequentlytofcruehim,and thevariances that are betwixt vs& the pa pills, to referre allthingcs vnto him. If this doftrine but ofy men haue not referued vnto god ^ thing were well knowen , Kinges and Princes wouldc that belongeth vnto him , but haue framed arti- notlordeit fo lycentioufly nowadayes as they clesoffaith,lawes,and ordinances at their owne doe, and men (houlde haue feenc another man- plealure,& in the ende are come to this horrible ner of modeftie in them at all times than is now 60 conftifion of minglmg the inuentions of mens fecne . For they that are aduaunced vnto ho- braines with the purenes ofthe holy fcripture,lb nour , doe bcare themfelues on hande that the as they haue marred all things? And wherof clfc worlde was made for them , and for their fairc commeth it , that euen at this day , the papiftcs ey es(as they (ay ): and there vpon they reieft all fight ftill fot the maintenance of that tyrannic, informations Jawes & ilatutes, and (hake oft the that a man might not knowe God from his Apo« yoke &om their nccks» as chough ihcy helde all lUcs as they themfclues fay , by which common pro- jjj The 4. Sermon Of Iohm Calvin. prouerbe of theirs they condemne themfelucs cher , and that wee fhouldc be his flocfce to bee and cut their owne throtcs ? Wherefore let vs ledby him . Nowe this cannot bee done.vn- Biarke well this leflbn wherein it is^iide that th* leffewe hearken to his voycc, and difcernc it iudgemtnt m Godi, that is to fay , that the fupcno- from the voyces of ftraungcrs , fo as wee be not riue which men haue , in what degree fo euer it caried too and fro like wauering Rccdes with bee is not to diminilh Gods preheminence, eueric winde , but ftandc faft fetkd vppon the but rather to maintaine it . What then are the purcnefle of the holy Scripture , and chat our ftates of honour and all tlie dignities of the faith be fo grounded thercvppon , as the diuell worlde ? They are all meanes to bring to paffe may neuer fhake it downe. Loe(fay 1) howe wc that God may rcigne ouervs, and to make all jq ought to applie this doftrine toourvfe, name- men to ftoope to him , and to knowe him and ly that the ludgcmcnt and authoritieis Gods, obey him in all cafes.So then, what ought kings. For if wee doe fo, wee may well fee many con- Emperours , and Magiftrates to doc ? They varieties in this world, men may aflaylevs with ought to fee that God be exalted and magnified many troubles , they may well fct themtelues a- as he is woithie , and that all their fubicftes doc gainft vs , and they may well fpeakc againft vs : him liomage jand they themfelues muft fliewe but yet ihil we ftU keepc on our pace. And why? themtheway. Againe, what ought fchoolema- forGO D is not variable. Although the diucU ftcrs and fathers to doc, and all fuch as haue a- keepencuerfo greata ftirre here beneath, yet nie houfeholde [orferuauntes]? Euerie of them is Gods purpofe alwayes vnchaungeable . And ought to confider on his owne bchalfe howe 10 foismentby this that is faide of the truth, that Pfil-ii7«»* greatly God hath inhonored him ? He that hath it dureth for euer . It is not fuch a trueth as is children ought to confider, thou holdcft Gods hidden or (hutte vp in heauen: but it is faide place in this roome of a father, but yet hath not exprefly that it is the fame truth which God vt- G O D ftrippcd himfelfe to clothe thee with his tereth to vs by his worde , as he witneflcth day- honour. What then? He is the father ftdl.both ly. Sithitisfo,let vs lookevpto GOD, and of mee and of my cluldren , therefore muft I in- yeclde him the gouernement that is due vnto deuer that he may be obeyed . The mafter m.ufl: him, thathee may reigne ouer vs : and then fhal thinke thus : Is the maftcrfliippe mine ? No: but our faith bee vnuariable.though the diuell trou- it is Gods, who hath graunted mcc that prero- ble and tutmoyle all thinges vpfidedowne , and gatiue vndefetued on my parte. It hathpleafcd 30 ftirre vp neuer fo much ftrifc and contentioiu himto put this houfeholde vnder my gouerne- Thus you fee howe we muftpuc thcdoftiinein ment, butyctforallthat.itishethatmuftrule vrc that is conteined heere. me,yea both me and allthat are vnder my fubie- Nowe fiirthcrmore Mofes faith cxprcflie,' ftion. After this manner ought wee to put this that if there were any harde cafe , ii fhould be brought doftrinc in vre. '""'' '•''"' • And afterwarde hce addcth for a And when wee haue paffed throughall the conclufion, thathee bad comnuHndtd them aliihe ftates of the worlde , wee muft alfo come to the things which they ought to doe . As touching the fpirituallcouernement of the Church. There- harde cafes , Mofefes referuingof them tonira- fore let fuch as are ordcined to preach Gods felfe , was neither for defire of praife nor for Worde , vnderftande that God hath not appoin- 40 pride , but becaufe they belonged to his voca- "ted them to fet foorth their owne dotages , and tion : hee knewe that God had ordeincd him to to fpeakc what they Lft : but to thinke vppon the fame puipofe . And therefore let vs not Gods fuperiorite, fpecially feeing that our Lord bee afraidc to keepe ftiU that which God hath lefusChriftis nowe declared to bectheheadc giuen vs, if wee execute the charge that hee K I , J of his Church, according to the euerlafting ma- hath committed vnto vs . For why ? like as a ^ ' ' fterfhip which God gaue him ouervs, in faying, manmuftnotefteemcof himfelfe, fo muft hce w o, Heareyehim.SeeingitisfOjletfuchashauethe notfurmife,oh,this ishatefiilljitmaybcillca- I.ulle.jJj* charge of teaching in the Churchand are/hep- ken, itisfubiefttoflaundcr: but weemuftfol- herdes and minifters , vnderftande that they lowc that which God commaundcth vs. And muft not fceke to aduance themfelues, nor to be p therefore let vs not take any thine vppon vs of heard, nor to bring the people m a mafewith our owne heade, that is to fay, let vs not bee their owne inuentions : but[they muft indeuer] raflie to fay , this belongeth to mee , for ambiti- that God may alwayes haue the ouerhand, and on ticklcth vs continually , and euerie of vs be obeyed , and his worde bee receiued purely would haue I wore not what a priuiltdge:whcre- andfimplie without any mingling oraddingto fore let vs beware of fuch folly. Yet notwith- jt, ftanding like as there {houlde no fuch boldncfic Andlikcastheythatarcinthatvocationand rcigncinvs, astovfurpe or take any thing vp- office,ought to haue mildnefl'e , andlowlinefl'e, pon vs : fo on the contrarie part , when GOD that they vfurpe not the authoritie which God will haue any office or charge laide vppon vs, hath referued to himfelfe, yea and giucn to his 60 it becommeth vs to take it . True it is that onely fonne ; fo allChtiftians ought to thinke men may chaunce to fpeake cuill of vsforit, thus with themfelucs. Wherefore come wee to but wee muft ouerpafle that , and keepe on Sermons ? Wherefore is there order in the our pace ftiU . That is the thing which Mo- Church ? Itis to the ende that GOD ftioulde fes hath fhewed vs hcere by his owne exanv- gouerne vs , and that wee fiioulde haue our pie. _ , Lorde lefus Chrift to bee as our foucrainc tea- And in hisowne perfon , hce bathfet vs as it ' were Vpon Devteronomie^ Cap. I. aj tverealooldng glafiTe before our eyes, tollicwe iiemment:nodoubtebuchccwasy«moredili- vs th« we muft foUowc the order chac God hath gent in teaching them the doftrmc of faluation ret,3ndnotfwaruefroinitat.ill. If wee doe That is the firft poynt whiche wee hauc to notfo,icisanvntol;rablevnthanIxfulncHe.We note. DothMofes tellvs , that hec did not knoWewhat infirmitieisinourfjhiesmotone- concealcwjr hyde any thing from thelewcs ly in Pome one point but in all things arc wee fo in the thinges that concerned their worldlic fraileasispitittofec. B'.uour Lorde hathweil diieaes,tbr''the mamte/ningofromeordcrand prouidcJ tor all our needcs.and giuen^vs re- hum.ime honcftie among them > Then is it medies for them. As for cxampk-.hcehath much more Lkely that hee firft preached to giuen vs mcatc and drinketo maincaine this lo them the grace of God, and afterwarde(h:;wed tranfitorie life of o-irs, hee hath ordemedMa- them the nil; of good coiiucrdtionand there giftracie to goucrne ts ,h:e hath ordeyned the wiihall toldc them of the couenan; of faluauon minift;rie of hiswordeto rule our foules, and which GOD had made with his people . Ins hee hath giucn flngular giftes of grace to feue- certaine that nothing v/as conce.iled in that rail pcrfons , fo as they bee able to giue vs coun- bchalfc , but that he vfcd an txq ji'.ite d Jicencc fell, and to comfort and incourage their neigh- fo as hec lefte not the Icwcs m doubtwlthouc hours, and to hclpe them atthcir neede.What duew.onanthov/to behauc themfcluts to God- is to be done then ? When beucr wee bee cum- ward. bered or la any pcrpLxitie , let vs looke that Nowe then, if Mofes difchardgcd hisductic weevfethemean.-sofrcmedie that GOD gi- lo after that fort, wee muft conclude that the Lawe uethvs.yeaandto vfethemalwayesinhisfeare. was a fufficicnt doftrine to inftaifte the nco- For wee may bee abufcd, as wee haue fcene. pie, and that hecvfed not anie fliiftes tociric What is to bee done then J We mud not turne them heere and there . Afterwai de came the add:: nor ftoppefor fuch as haue neither right Prophctcs, which added yet a greater Iit^hcc. norrcafonmthim.butcuerieofvsmjftEirther Laft of all, thcGofpellwas preached throuolj himfelfe by fuch meanes as God giueth him , e- the whole worlde . Nowe then can wee (ay uen as though hee were going to God himfelfc. that our Lorde hath not taught vs fufficienc- And that will make vs to vfe the order of ly , and that allthc Prophctes, and the Apo- Lawehw;;fully,w!uch thing men doe not nowe. liles , yea and lefus Chnfl: himfelrc haue gi. And It is a point well WDrt'mc to bee m irked, to 30 uen vs but halfe an inftrultion ? Can weefiy Witj howc men may rep life imuries, and howe fo ? No -that were too vtlanous a blafphe- thcyou^httobehiuethemCdues.whenany of mie. Nowe therefore , let vs haue ourearcs vsfindeth himfdfe intingledor in perplexitie, open to hearken to our G OD , and ie will litvspray toGod to dircft vs. Ifweedid io, beagood fchoolemafter to vs , and letvs bee furel/weewouldnotcoetohwebutwithtrera- contented with the doftiine that is contey- bling , and wee would; lay in our felues,Igoc ned in the holy Scripture. For there wee hauc no^ to prcfent my lelf as it were before my God. fo perfect wifedomc , asno fault can bee found. Buthowegocmcntoitnoweadayes? Rathcrto with'^t. Confider well thereforcwhatwchiuc feeke a doke for all naughtincQe : fo as there is to marke vppon this ftrcine , to the cnde that neither craft, nor fpite, nor any other wick:d- ^o cucricof vsmay mdeuer toproStedayly more nclTe which IS not to bee foiuide there . And andmore. And if there bee any ignorance mvs, why? For without hauinganyregardeofGod, letvsaifure our fclucs it is through our ownc there is nothing thought vppon but howe to be- fault , in that we bee as blinde wretches , vnt:ll guile m:n, or howe towindethemin byfomc God haue inlightened vs through his grace, wick.d praftifcSom-Jch the moreneeie ther- Therefore it behoueth vstopray him toopen fore haue wee tomirkewell wiiatis faidehere, our eyes by his holy fpirite . And on the other thatistowit, that according as God hath or- fide.letvs not ftop ourearcs againft the thingcs deinedftitesanidegreesamoigmen :fomuft that God fpeaketh, nor preteiide ijnoranceto men difpofe things anddircftthembytheorder excufeour mughtmcire . But feeing thatGod thatGodhithfetandeftablifhed. Jo tellethvs, that he hatli (hewed vs alltliingesby Andfor aconclulionletvsalfowey well this hiswordc which wee oughtto doerletvsholde which Mofes aJJ;thin th: cnde; namel/ ,thit vs to it without coueting any nouelties , and hee haJiariiJittbelevei all thingei v/hich thiy had without fond curiolitie , for wee (hall neuer ttdoe. Wii;n hee faith fo, itis alloneasif hee fc ape from him; and therefore letvs not be gad- flio ildepio.ed, thitthe/couldenotbutknow, ding to recciue cuerie newe toy that is otfe- thitthey (lane J no: through ignorance , nei- ted vnto vs . And fo let vs ponder well the ther coulde fay, I cook .-it to hauc beene other- thinges that wee haue to marke vppon this wife, I knew: not what v/xs to bee done . You text , to the cnde that for af.tiuch as G O D knowe(f,iieth Mofes) there is no let but in your hath nowe giuen vs a confirmation of his felues , for I for my parte haue beene faith- oy Lawe and of his Prophifies , and direfted vs full to Godwarde • (ince the time that hee to the right marke : wee may take the Gof- did putm:e in truft to infl:u.ft you , I hauc PclCalwayes]for ourguidc, in waytingtiUhc taught you as hec comnaand;d mee : nowe haue githercdvs together into luskingdome. th:reforevou cannot haue any cxcufetohide Nowe let vs kneele downe in tfie prefence you withall . And if Moles had fuch a care to o^our good God with acknowledgement of our teach the people in rcfpcde of che.eanhly go- faiil:s,prayinjj bin to make vs feele them better. 4^ The 5. Sermon Of Iohw Calvin totheendewemayreturnctohimwithtrucre- feluesvntohisrightcoufneffe, and fcniinghim pentance , and being afliamcd of our fdues flee according to his holie will/o chat although wcc for refiige to his mercy: and that forafmuchas mightbehindcredb) theftumblingblockesand wc knowehee hath fee it forth moft largely and cumberances which weclce inthcworIdc,yec abundantly in our Lord lefus Chrift , wee may wee may not ceafe to followe our good G O D, reforttohim the moreboldcly, feeking conti- whither foeuerheccallcthvs jnocwithftamling nually for the great treafurcs wiiich he hath pre- that the worlde bee bhndcd with ncuer lb out- pared for vs in his kmgdome. And [befceching ragious confufion and diibrdcr . That it may him] to guide vs fo hencefoorth with hisholic plealehim to graunt this grace, notonely to fpirue, as we mayLucmhisfeare, framing our lo vs&c. OnFrydaythexij.of Aprill. 1555. Thefift Sermon vpon the first (^hapter. 19 Then departed we from Horeb, and went througli the wilderneflc which is o^rcat and terrible,as you haue feene,along the way of the hil of the Amorrhy tcs,as the Lord our God had commaunded vs,and we came to Cades barne. 20 And I faid vntoyou, come ye to the Hil of the Amorrhyces which the Lord our God doth giue vs. 21 Behold , the Lord thy God fctteth the Land before thee ; Goc vp and pof- iti{t it as the Lord the God of thy fathers hath iaidc vnto thee . Shrinke not , nei- ther be afraide, ,N this text Mofes rehearfcth, commaunded you.Thcrcafon is this.So long as I after what fort he had exhorted 30 you fuffcrcd your fckies to bee gouerncd by his ! the people to take poflcfl'ion of hand, and fo long as you walked in the way that the Lande that God had promi- hee appointed you: did you not euen fee with f fed them > and by what meanes your eyes, that hec madcyoutooucrcomeall ' he would hauc incouraged them Jiardncfic? Was not the wildcrnes whcrthrough to it . And that is to the ende that the people you patted, a vene gulfe ? And yet nocwithftan- ftioulde knowe their owne vnthankefulncife and dinj you fcapcd ouc of it.And how came that to naughtineflc , in reieifting the benefice that was paflcjbut by the wonderfull working of your / offered vnto them , and in that they obeyed not God among you? Seeing y y ou heard his voyce, God, but were giuentoo much to their owne you were lure that hee was come among you. fenfualitie. This then which Mofcs doth heere, 4° Thenfaidlvntoyou.nowis thcrenomorefor is asicwereanvpbraidingoftheIewes,toy end vs to doe,but to inioy the lande which our God they might knowchowe It was long ofnonebut hath affignedtovsforoui- heritage. Goc,Iecvs thcmfclues.tliat they inioyed Gods blefling no fight, our God haih promifcd it vs , and hee will fooner : and tliat they might aftci-wardc yceldc not difappointvs. Wee knowe he hath wrouglit themfelues more pliable, andnotbeefowilfull mightily for vs hitherto, and furcly he willgoc any more in their owne frowardneffc , butfim- throughwithhis workc . Thcfe and fuch other pile fubmit themfelues to God as foone as they things did I alledgc vnto you : And yctyouful- flioulde hearehimfpeake. That is in effedthc lowed not them as you ought to hauc done, intent of Mofes. Wherefore acknowledge your vnchankefidncflc Neuerthelelfe hee interlaceth alfo another Jo in that you rcfufcd to enter into the inheritance mattertherewithall:whichis,thathetclleththe which God had promif;d to your fathers , and people they be fomuchtheleflctobeexcufed, which he hath prepared for you. bccau(e they had had experience of Gods good- Nowebytheway , the fiift good leflbn that nefle, in that he had led them with his mightie wee haue to gather here , is that forafmuch as hande.For, their paffingthrough the horrible Godhathalreadie vttered his goodnes towards anddreadfiilldefert, was not without the afli- vs in making vs to fcelc his blcUing: weebethc fiance of a fingiUar and vnaccuftomed power of itiore worthy to be blamed , if we reft not whol- God : where as they notwithftanding forgetting ly vpon him , or put not our whole trull in him to the goodiieffcwhichthey had felt , and which walk on boldly & without douting.For although they ought to hauc borne in mindc for euer,did 60 Godhadneuer (htvvcd himfclfe to ourexpcri- grudgc at God, and became wilfijU, and wouldc ence: yet ought wee togiuecrcditetohisnolic not goe forwardc when he was redie to haue led w orde. And it is good rcafon that wc fhoulde do them to the end. And that is the caufe why Mo- him the honour to bclceuc whatfocuer he faith fcs faith exprefly , thM thq/ had feme . As if hec or fpeaketh vnto vs : for as much as he is faith- ihould fay, you wrought euen againft yourna- fidl, and his worde is better trj'cdtlian cither turalifcnfcSjwhenyouwencnotonasyourGod goldorfiIucr,atJtisfaidemthePfaline. And Pfil.u.y, there- Vpon Devteronomie, Cap.!. j* therefore if there were no more but Gods vtte- inorrhytes,he faide ^ t« vifojfejfe the Itmie which ringofhis wordcwjth his owne mouth: it were the Lord our God and tht God of our faihen from ifed ynough to condemnc the whole world for their vs. For it it here before vs , that is to fay e , at our difobcying thereof. But feeing that God hath commaundement , as hee hadfaideafo'rcjfor confirmed his fayings by deeds, and hath (hew- this is but a repetition of that which wee hauc cd vs as it were to our eyefight, that his making fcene alieady.And hcere Mofes fetteth forth the ofhispromifesvntovsis not in vaine,but hcc promifethat God had made vnto the people, to hath made vs to feele the thmges with our thecndtoaffurc them of the Land in fuch wife, handsjroaswcknowincffeftwhathispoweris, asthcy flioulde beeout of all doubt thatit was and that it neuer faileth thofe which are his : if jq their owne.And why ? Becaufe it had bene pro- after all this teaching we fall to checking ftill, mifed them ofGod.Bcholde(Iaithhe),thy God and be fo ftiffcnecked as we will not bow to fub- ment not to lye to thee, nor to beguik thec.-and nut oui- fclues to the thinges that hee fpeaketh, therefore thou maift aflure thy felfc , that the nor haue any will to obey him : I pray you doth thing which hee hath fpoken ftjalbe performed, not the greater condemnation lye vpponvs ? Marke that for one point. What IS to be done then? Let euery of vs confi- Neuerthelefle , to the endc that the people der aduifedly the good turnes that God hath may the better vnderftande, that they were not done him,& let him marke them and note them to pofl'cfle the lande for their owne dcfe rts fake: that hee may beare them in mmdc. Verie well, hee telleth them exprefly. It is the God of your fi. God hath fuccoredmee at fuch a pinch, I hauc lo /Wj that doth it. For the Lande waspromifcd felt his hclpe in fuch a cafe , I haue beenc ayded as well to Abraham as to Ifaac .ind lacob.before at his hande, and he hath made me to percciue the I ewes which then liued , were borne Thcr- his mightic power after fuch and fuch faHiion. by then are they put in mindc , that they had After this manner muft wee make rehearfallof not defeiucd fuch a bcnefitc at Godi hindc, Gods benefires , andof his helping of vs all the but that it proceeded wholly of his free good- time of our life. And after as hee hath vttcred nelie . And fo much the mare were they to hirafelfevntovs.forauftwebethcmoreconfir- blame ,in thatthey had felt fuch experience of medtotrufttohispromifes , and to reft wholly Gods goodnefle , and their finne alfo was fo vpon them.Herewithal let vs be ftabl.fhed mm- much the hemoufer, in that they acknowledged uincibleconftancie,togoewhichwayfocuerhe Jo not themercie that he had vfed towards them. Icadeth vs, without feare of any diftrefle. Why That then is the effcft of Mofefes nieanmg fo ? For my God which hath neuer forfaken mc heere. to this day,wiJl not giue me ouer now. As I hauc But wehaue to note hcrewithal,that although felt Chertofore^that he giueth ftrength to thofe the promife was then giowen olde , yet had «. -that arc his: foamlfurc thathecwilj reach me not loft his force: neither ceafcd it to LucftilJ, his hande and fuccour me ftill . So then there is though Abraham , Ifaac, and lacob were deade. no more for me to doc, but to commit my felfc True it is that the promife which had beene vntohira.1 fee that this thing & that thing may made , was not fpoken to them that were pre- cumberme.theic are a number of temptations fentlyaliuc at this time: [they to whomeitwas which may make me turneheade: but yet foraf- 40 fpokcn]thai is to wit .Abraham i and thePa- muchasmyGodhath fuccorcd me hitherto at triarks, were alldeceafrd. But Gods promife myncede: I doubt not but hee will doe the like & his truth die not with men.theyhnue not the vncothcende. Thus yee fee that the way for vs courfcofatranfitoritieand flightftillhfeaswee to cfchewe the blame of vnthankefulnefle , is to haue. Therefore let vs marke well, that where- caJl Gods benefits oftentimes to our rcmembc- as God had promifed the lande to Abraham, for ranee, thereby to ftrengthcn our felues ibll in „ him , his heires , and fuccelfors that (huulde dc- truft that he will neuer fade vs vnto the end. Al- fcende of his race : although Abraham was rot- fo this wilferue to make vsouercomealtempta- ten in the canh.and they that followed him to- tions: and although the diuel haue neuerfo ma- gethcr with all the Patnarks were confumedto ny meanes and ftoppes to turnevsoutof the jo powder and duft : yet the worde that GOD right way, yet (hall we not ceafe to goe on ftill. fpake conunued ftill, and forewent no whit at al And why ? Becaufe the hope which wee (hall ofhis force . This ( I tell you ) is a point which haue gathered , of Gods former making of vs wecoughttomarkewtll.Forit isnowclongago to feele his goodnefle, will ferue to cane vs o- fince theLawe wasgiuen: fo that ifwe haue an uer all tempeftcs in the middes of the fea : it eye to the oldeneflc thereof, it willfeeme to vs wUlbeasaboate , or as aniippe,orasabridgc to bee an outworne and deade thing. About a toconueyvs fafelyouer. To bee Ihort, wee two thouCmdyeares after that, the Gofpel was ihall haue wherewith to ftrengthen vs conti- publifh:d to the worldc : and wee fee that ma- nually ,fowee(hutte notourcyes at the aftl- nic yearcs, yeamany hundred yearcs are paf- ftancc which God (hewcth vs dayly. Thus 60 fed(incc. Then if wee ftioulde meafure Gods you fee generally what wee hauc to gather vp- tiuethby time: wee might thinke it to bee a pon this laying of Mofes . Anon the matters thing as good as buried and quite andcleane fhall bee layde out more particularly by (imili- forgotten. tudes. Morcoucr they that firftcaryed the GofpeU Let vsproceede to the things that he addeth: abiode, are deade ling agoe -but yet muft we namely, that being come to the hrllofthc A- beaic in mindc, that Gods trueih is euerlafhng, C and iS The j. Sermon Of Iohn CalviN and that although men be corruptible and pafle Butletvs markewell , that Mofes hauing al- and vanlfli away ;yet the doftrinc offaluation ledged Gods promife , and hauing faide that abydethalwayes vnappayred , Co as the force the Lande was at the peoples commaundc- thereof abateth not at all. That is it ("fay I) mentsbccalifc G O D mem not to fayle in the winch we haue to bcarc in minde . For although perfourmancc of the thing that hee had once itwas inolde timethatGOD fpaketo Mofes promifcd : addeth afterwarde, Enter intoittmd , and the Prophetes , and although it bee nowe t^lkt fofiefsion of it . Wherein hec Ihcweth v& long agoe fince the Gofpcl was dclyuered to the that although GOD performe in vs al that hee Apoftles:yctmuftwereceiue the doftrme ther- hath faide : yet muft not wee on out fide bee of nowadayes , as being in fidl force ftill. And lo idle ,norbeeasblockesof wood, butwecmuft that fo much the rather, inrefpeftofthisfay- offer our fclues tohis feruice. For albcitthat H«b. 10,10. ing °f ^^ Apoftle , that our Lorde lefus Chrilb wee cannot ftirre one finger to doe wcl: yet hath hath made the way firelh by hisbloude . They GOD made vs inftrumentcs whereby hee will that liued vnder the Lawe and the Prophetes worke. ought not to haue delpifed the trueth that had Therefore wee muft goe forwarde when hee beene manifeftcd to their fathers, though it commaundethvs, and wee muft indeuer toap' was done long time before : and yet did not God ply all our members and wits to obey him. True difcoUer it fo openly to them as hee doth to vs, it is (as I faide ) that men arc vttcrly vnprofita- It is not for nought then that the Apoftle faieth, bk,yea and that their will goechclcancbacke that the way which lefus Chrift made, is frclhe. jq from that which God commaundeth: but yet Andwhyfayeshecfo? His meaning is, that the for all that, God ccafcthnotiogiue vswdling- bloude of our Lorde lefus Chtift cannot drye ncfie , and when hee hath giuen vs willing- nor putrifis , but is alwayes freflie in remembe- nelle , hee giueth v s alfo performance , as faint ranee before God, to the ende that wee ftioulde Paulauoucheth to the Pliilippians: and there- Ptil.i.ij. bee aflurcd of his trueth, which hee hath fcaled withall hee maketh vs to doe it with fcarc and with his death and paflion. Seeing then that we carefulncfie . When as Saint Paul faith , Doeye, haue fuch a pledge, we ought to be fo much the and alfo , U it God that doeih : thofe two thinges forwarder to receiue Gods truth, forafmuch as fccmc to bee contraries : but they bee not . For wee pcrceiue that the force and vertuc thereof Gods working is in fuch wife , as hee imputeth dureth for euer. 30 tohimfelfethethingesthathcedothin TS:and Nowe muft Wee matke further howe Mofes yet for all that, hee will not haue vs to bee floth- taiethhcerc, Thy God haihpromi/edthet the /ande, fiUl and to fall a flecpe , but tliateuerycofvs It is before thee , foffefje it. By thefe wordes he be- fliould indeuour himfelfe . Let vs learne then tokeneth , that wee muft reft wholely vppon that whenfoeucr God promifeth vs any thing, ihatwhich God faith , and not ftande fcanning it is his office to accoraplilhe the whole, afterourowne fancies. For if men contcntnot Neuerthclefle he will haue vs to take paynes «hemfelues with the thinges that God fpeakcth and to ftraine our fclues , yea euen vs which are 10 them : where fhall they feeke for greater cer- vtterly vnprofitablc . And hauing giuen vshis temticf Or when theyhaiic fought it, where power, hee will haue vs indeuour to make the (hall they finde it ? But it is an offering of too .^ thing auailable which he hath bcftowed vppon greate wrong to our GOD, when wee bee not vs.and to make it to bee profitable. That then is fatisfied with his vttering of his will , and with the thing which we haue to note here, ^his warranting of the lame vntovs. For if Howbeit, there withall there is alfo the con- «herevppon wee bee ftill wauering and doubt- clufion which Mofes maketh : namely when as iiill : what elle is fuch vnbelicfe , but a replying hee faith , Tetre not, bee mt dtfrnttyed. And here- againft Gods trueth as though hee were not by hee doth vs to vnderftande, that although faithful,or as tliough he went about to abufc vs we bee armed and fenced with Gods promifes, by alluring vs with vaine hope ? So thenletvs foasweeoughttobecfufficientlyrefolued,thac tnarkewcO.tliat all our life long wee muft con- hee will guide vs vnto theende:yctlhall wee tent our fclues with Gods worde , and when we jj, hauemanieoccafionstomakevsgnidgeandre- haue it wee muft followe it without feeking any pyne,foaswemightfwarue afide from the right further. way , or vtterly forfakeit.if we had not conftan-^ Forlookehowe many doubtes and miftruftes cie to ouercome all the ftoppes andlettes that wee conceiue , fo many ouerthwart nippes and the diuell thrufteth in our wayes ; for of nature priuie vpbraydmgs doe wee giue vnto G O D,as we be fearefiilLTrue it is that in many things wc who ihoulde fay there were no ccrtaintie in his be but too bardie. When any fond thing is to be faying. But wee knowe that notliine is more pe- attempted luoLftJy:in that cafe men neede not culiar to him than his trueth . Andfo (as much to be hartened,for they be but too bold already, as in vs lyeth ) wee make it a thing of nothing. to attempt this and that, & to mount aboue the Therefore it is a verie profitable warning when ^o cloudesas thee fay .But when GOD (houldc hecfaieth, fhtLorde thy God haih promifed ihet be followed whitherfoeuerheccalleth vs: oiu: the Lande. For hee fpeaketh ftill m eenerall, eyes runneheere and there, vp and downe, wee meaning that we muft all our life long holdthis beeatourwittes ende, yea andifaflyedoebut ruleofftickingfimplytothewordofGod.Anon whiske before our eyes or a ftrawe ftirre at the things fhalbc laidefoorth particularly, asl ourfeete ; by and by wee are at a ftoppc .Nowe (aide afore. feeing wee naue this vice in our nature , let Vpon Devteronomie. Cap.i. 27 vs determine to fight on al fide sagainft this fod rablc flauerie. and fetteth vs at libertiebyhis fearehilnclk , to the endc wee bee nothelde holyfpiritc : is it not all one as if heefliouldc backe from toUowmg God wh'thcrfocuer hcc make vs way through the gulfes of hell ? Yes : commaundethvs, but that wee may oueicome for wee bfe there in vcriedeedc, and weecan- all the temptations of Satan, though hebeene- notcomeatlcfusChrift. except we be brought uet fo w)'lie m foigmg and framing of innume- out of the dungeons of death . Nowe then rableoccalionsmthatbchalfe,toturnevsaway if there were no more but this , that God hath firom our calling . And thcretore l-t vs markc ridde vs from the curfe which was brought vp- this warnmg gi.icn to the lewcs by Mofcs . For pon vs by Adam , and wherein wee are all of vs itis a warning to vs as well as it was to them, 10 faft (hut and locked- vpvntiUhee hauepitievp- that it is vnpolhbh for vs to come tliichtr as god pon vs : the experience of that one point ought calleth vs , if wee oucrcome not this fearetul-" _ to make vs perceiue his goodncffe . And if dierc nelic and diiniayednen'c, that is tofay,ifwee werenomore but that: itoughttogiucvscou- fightnot againftallthemcumberanccs tliatfa- ragetofollowehim.and toglueour^elueswhol■. thancanfetbeforeoureyes tomakevs atraide. lyvntohim.Forifwee beedouthful.thcreisno Therefore it ftandeth vs on hande to bee ar- excufc for vs,becaiife his goodr.effc is fiifFicient- niedwithftrengthtromabouc. Thusyoufce ly warranted vntovs, and it 13 longof noncbut howc wee ought to apply this ftreynetoourm- our felucs thatwee bee not fully refolued and fhudion. perfwaded that hee will goe through with the Nowe die thinges will bee the plainer and io thing that hee hath begiinne . And that it is bcttervnderftoode,ifwc make a (imilitude be- fo,iteuciie ofvs bethought himfclfe well, wee twcenc the lande that was pronufed to die chil- fhoulde finde that God by infinite wayes made drenoflfrael, and the kingdoine of God where- vs to ouercome the thinges that feemcd vn- unto wee bee called . For in good footh , the poflible . But what ? To fet foorth ourowne va- landofChanaanwasbutas afigurcSc earneft- liantdecdes , wee can well ynoush alledgethis penny ofthekingdorae of heauen.Had die aun- and that , and our mcmorie is'but too good, cicnt fathers f.-tled their mmdes vppon the And though it bee but a thing of nothing diat lande winch they fawe : they had had a verie wee haue done . yet wee can 1 kill to magnifie ic poorc reft and wcake ftay , for m veric deedc and to make great reportes of it . Loe howc riieymioyeditnotofall their life, they did but jo men can bee quicke ynough to remember all Hcb.11.9, onelytrauelldirough itas ftraungers and way- that eucr they haue done in their hfc, thatmay *»J' farers. Wee fee that Abraham had not one fct foorth their owne glorie : but in the meane footc of it m poircflion , fauing that hee pur- whylc wee doe wickedly forget the benefires of chafed a litde peece to burie his wife in , no hee GOD. And yet workedi hee in fuch wife to- tad not fo much as water to drinke . lacob was wardes vs , as ought to cjuicken vs vp to acknow- banifhed out ofit a great parte of his life. Kaac ledge his goodncffe . orelfe on the contraris and all the Patriarks had but their walkeinit, parte wee doc but thruft all vnder footc. Hee riicy neuer poffcffcd one foote of the land which ihall haue deliuered vs. firom manie after delays, God had giuen for an heritage to them and an^hee Ihall haue made vs to haue paffed ma- theiriiliic. Wee muft needes conclude then ^^ niegreate lettes, fo as wee may haue thought diattheauncicnt fathers did not paffe through that wehadbeenevneilylhutout and fordone, this vifible land , and that dieiracknowledgmg and hee Ihall haue reached vs his hand: andyet of It for their inheritance was after fuch a forte, for all that, wee neucr thinke ofit againc. Nowe as they tended alvvayestowardcs heauen , and then, where as wee fee men to bee rechleffe and that was the marke which they aimed at. Seeing flodiftill in following GOD, it is bccaufe they itis fo,wee muft make a fimihtude betweene , forget his benefites which they haue had proofe this lande,and the inhcrkancewhcrunto GOD of, and become like die lewes. Andthcre- calleth vs , as it hath beene purchafed for v j by fore it behoucth vs all to acknowledge our fault our Lorde Icfus Chrift. in this behalfe , and to mouriie beforcGod, and Whereas hee faith That Cod made the fiople 50 to feeke redreffe ofit. to pup through a horrible anddreadjuU wiiderneffi: Thusyeefcc howeweeought toputthis text the fame belongcth vntovs alio , if wee conhder in vre by fimilinidc: that is to wit , when the pro- in what ftatc Godfoundevs, and whence hee mifesoftheGofpeU are fet forth to bring vs to hath drawen vs. For are wee not all damned the kingdome of heauen : let vs confiderwhere- and forlorne by nature ? Hathnotthediuella atGodhathbegunnein vs,by whatmeaneshe tyrannous dominion ouervs, from whenceno hath brought vs to him, and howe hcehath man can dcliuer himfelfe by his owne power ? ftrengthened vs ,to the intent to bring vs out of Euenfo.if wee confider where GOD feeketh die damnation, whereof wee are founde worthy vs when hee calleth vs to him : [wee ftiall finde, by too too apparant conuiftion.Nowe therefore . that] the wildcrneffe wherethrough the lewes go if wee tliinke there vpon, and confider dius with palled is not io dreadefuU and terrible , as is ourfelues , beholde,our God hath made vspar- ihe damnation wherein wee were . For wee takers of his power, wee haue had too apparant bee in bondage of finne, wee bee vndcr the experience therof,he hath deliuered vs out of y thraldomeot deat'i,fatan reigneth ouer vs.and gulfe ofhel.he hath ridde vs out of the bonds of isking and prince of the whole worldc . Sec- the diuell and of death: let vs not doubt but hee ing then that GOD riddeth vs out of fomife- will alwaycs continue like himfelfe hereafter, Cz and fio The 5. Sermok Of John Calvin. and hold out ro the end. was not to bee charged withall. So then let Fuithermoreletvs alTomarke well this fay- vs hauc this ftedfaft aiFuredncfle with vs. thae ingin this text: ThcGodofthy fathers hath fro. GOD auoweth vs for his children , andcon- mifed thte the Unde . Beholds therefore ,it is at fccjucntly that wee bee heires of eternal! life. ihycommaundment , enter into it and taliffojfeftion Howbeit.letvs alwayes take that ailiiredncfle efit . The meaning is that wee fhouldc yeeldc out of the Gofpell, accordingly as we fee that li) much honour to Gods truth , as to bee fiilly Mofes leadeth the lewcs thither, and throughly refolucd in our felues , that inaf- True it is that wee mult not forget the hca- much as hec hath adopted vs to his children, uenly power that v/as vttered eucrie where in our inheritance is certaine and infaUiblemhea- jq thcryfing againe of our Lordc lefus Chrifte, uen . For to what purpofe is tlie Gofpell prca- But howe might wc applie fuch a benefite to our ched vnto vs , bat to make vs knowe that GOD fclucs.or how could wc imoy it , if it were not by is our father , and that wee bcingbecome his faith ? Therefore hkc as our Lorde Icfus Chrill children by his frceladoptingofvSjrtiouldebee hath purchaced vs the kingdome of heauenby afilired that the kingdome of heaucn belongeth his death and pafTion : fo is it his will tliat com- • vntovs? Andinveiic deede for the fame caufe fortfliouldebeegiuen vsnowadaycsby hisGo- isthe Gofpell called the kingdome of heauen, fpell, where heewitnefieth vnto vs thatallthat forafmuchasitopencth the gate vnto vs, to the euer hec did was for our fakes and for our wel- endcthatwee nowadayes ihouldc not doubte fare: fo that hauing that oncc,and being afliircd butthatGOD auoweth vs tobec his hciies. 10 tliereof,we may imoy the benefite that was pur- But wee mufl: haue a further confideration of chafed for vs. the inheritance that God giueth vs , than ofall But yet in the meanc while , wee mufl: doe the benefites that Mofes fpeakesof.For it ftoode fo much honour to the Gofpell, as to beholde thelewes on hande to haue helde themfelues that thing by faith , which is hidden from our ftill to the thing that had beene fpoken to Abra- eyes . It is faidc thae the Lande is at thy ctm- ham,Ifaac,&Iacob.ButnowistheGofpelano- mandement . Nowe if wee bcleeue our fcnfes, thcr warrant vnto vs. For God is called the fa- wee cannot perceiue that the kingdome of ther,notonelyofAbraham,Ifaac,andIacob,but heauen is ours , or in oui- hande : it will alio ofour Lord Icfus Chrift, who isoui- headin feeme to bee too farrc offfrom vs, and thae fuch wife, that being once vny ted vnto him , we 30 wee had neede of wings to flie aboue the fkycs. become partakers ofhis own fubftance and hfe, But what ?Wee mufl: fo honour Gods worde (as " ' andCtherefore 3 we mufl: not doubt but that the lfaide)asweemuft:notdoubtbutthatthcthing inheritance of the kingdom of heaue belongeth which is fpoken there , is polTible to be done,at vnto vs.Nowe then.Lke as Mofes faid vnto the though wee conceiuc not howe by our fleftly lewcs.rtf Go«r/4;/;«>-J:fomuftthisvoyce vnderftanding: faith muft furmount allcapaci- founde in our eares , The G O D and father of tie of man . And if wee findc any hardnefle our Lordc lefus Chrift, hath notonelypromi- therein, let vs fight againft our felues , and day- fed vs the kingdome of heauen , but alfo giuen ly indeuour to recouer vnto God . For the way vs wherewith to affurc our felues the better of wherebyhcewillbeglorifiedatour hands, is(as it.For we haue the performance & cfFeft there- 40 Ifaideatthe beginning ) that if there we're no of, in that our Lord lefus Chrift fufl:ered death, more but his bare worde , yet ought the fame to ^to recouer vs the inheritance , whereof wee contecandfufficevs.Butfceinghehathvouch- were bereft and difpolfefled in the peiibn of fafedtodeliuervsthispledgcwhichhehathgi- our fatlner Adam . Nowe thenweefee after ucnvs in thedeathandpafllonofour Lorde le- what fort we ought to looke vpon this dodrinc : fus Chrift : we flialbe the leifc excufable , if wee that is to wit , that although wee bee vnhappie haue not a full and whole contentation. Seeing wretches , although wee deferue to bee reie- then that we haue fuch an afllirance of the king- fted of our GOD, although there bee nothing dome of heauen, let vs go and take pofleffion of but curfedneflcin vs, and although that by na- the lande. For(as I faid afore)God will not hauc lure wee bee plunged in the gulfeofhell: yet jq vsidle. notwithftanding , Iccing that God hath adop- True it is , that hec fliewcth vs by the holy ted vs in our Lorde Icfus Clvift,and made vs all fcripaire, that there is not one drop' of power one with him by faith : wee neede not doubt in vs thatiendeth vnto good , but that wee be but wc be heires of the kingdom of heauen.And wholly giuen to euill. And yet notwithitanding why? For GOD cannot lye . and forafmuch it is hi's will alio that when he hath put his grau- as heeis vnchaungeable , wee haue fufficient ous gifts into vs, we (houlde make them auayla- warrantthat'weelhallnot bee difappointed by ble, without chalenging any thing at all to our pu cting our truft in him . Againe , wee haue our felues. For in this cafe it is not for vs to glorie in Lorde lefus Chrifte, who is themediatour be- our felues , nor to truft in our owne ledges, twceneGodandmcn,andhee hath not onely 60 according vthercvnto it is faide in the Pfalmc to ?(«'.} 3- >* taken folcmne recogmfances as apubhkeno- fuch as are giuen to the worlde , that they *"'' >^^ tarie: but alfo accomplifhcd the thinges that muft not truft in their ownc ftrength , nor were promifedon the behalfcofGOD hisfa- in the ftrength of their horfes . If this bee ther.Hc hath fignedthe euidence in fuch wife faide of the thinges that pcrteine to this flight- with his owne bloude , as wee fee he hath pay- full hfe : what is to bcc faide of the fpirituall cd that which hee owed not , and that which he life which is much more excellent ? So then with- Vp ON Devteronomif., Cap. I, 2P woiicattributinj; any thing to our fclucs.ktvsin- deuour ncucrthcleH'e feeing that God comman- deth vs , and let vs goe on to enter into the- pof- Icilion of the fpiritujll kingdomc whereunto he callcth vs. And that is the caufc why I laid that wee mult cuermore conic backe to our Lorde leTusChriftjand there feekey thing that is wan- ting in our felues . For wee kno\vc that Iris fuffenng of his death and paffion, wasto-cxalt haue their armes and legges broken , yea and as men vtterly difnicmbred , Co as \vc hauc not one whitofftrength rnvs , atlcaftivifeas in rcfpeft ofourfelucs. And-.ct forall that therewithal! we tnuft not doubt but that God acceptctli vs to him , when wee linke in with our Lorde lefus Chrift by fight faith and pure alieifticn,acknow- Icdging him to be our kins, and hauing our eyes fallcncd vpon the inuifible kingdomc, as I faide vs aboue theheauens : and although wee doe lo afore. For if the vvre4:ched thccfe which fawc but crccpe vppon the earth , or rather bee fo loppeheaiiic that wee iinke ftill downeward , to pliindge our felues in the bottomlefle gulfes ; yet will our Lorde Icfusliftvsvp, according as he hirufclf was exalted.to the fame end and intent, loho.j.M. as is declared in the third Chapter of theGof- pelofS.Ichn. Furthermore, to the cnde wee may bee dif- charced of all fclfuuft, letvs looke vppon the death before his eyes, which was in as great toN mentes as was poflible , and fawc himfelfe as it werebehated of allthe world, didputhis truft in lefus Chnflc : what ought wee to doe ? A- gainc.inwhatftatc was cut Lord Icfus Chrift at the fame time } He hung vpon a crcfle udl of reproche and (hame , all men did fpit at him , all men did fpite him. And yct,notwiLhfb;'nding that reprochfuU ftate , the poorc wretch ceafica notable example that was guienvs at the death zo not to behold hte in death^and to fay , Lordr rc- ofour Lorde lefus Chrift. For if wee wdl go; the right waytoheauenjweeir.uft followc the pooretheefe tovvhomhcfaide , Thisday/lialt thou bee with mee in Paradifc. Howe can wee bee lure that GOD will bring vs to the king- dome of heauen , fceLng that wee fecke hell, and all our aftcftions , all our thoughces , all our -y«^U A.n r J 7 1" -7 "'' '"cn lona excuics Will itand VS mnoflead forwe IS fo , why doeth Mofes fay here , that the fp«;s reported it to be agood land, as though they hadmcouraged the people to doe as God had commaundedthem ? Wee haue to marke here, that Mofes hath not an eye to the greater nom- ber nor to the multitude ; but to the better therefore let vs follow thofe to whom God hath giuen the grace to ihew vs {• right way. Thouph there be but three or foure oTthcm.lct vs ef^ccm them no Icffe thart if they were an hundrcdthou- fand. ForGodpaffeth not for the greatnclTeof the multitude , as itis faid alreadic. C 4 Againej The ^.Sermon Of Iohn CaLvin Againc , on the other fide , as concerning iR.cligion : arc they that fticke to the purenefic of the Gofpell.moc in nomber than the Papifts, Turkes,and heathen men ? No furely.Infomuch lliat if wee bee compared but with the Icwes which are a curfed offcouring , whom God hath fo rooted out as there remaine verie fewe of thcniiyctnotwithftanding theChriftians v/hich are willing to giue themfelues fimply tothcfet- contrarie part]whcrcas there were but two tliar incouraged the people faithfully: thofe were put in nomber for all y reft, for they were well wor- thy to be eftccmcd as minifters and ilicpherdes in Gods Church , for their due perfourming of their charge. Thcrfore if we marke this texr,wc fliall be throughly armed and fenced agai nft all the {tumbling blockes y trouble moll men , who when they fee a fort of dogges barking at Gods iiingof God according to his word, are fo fewe lo trueth,arevtterly at their wits cnde.and knowi in nomber , as the other may farre paffe them. What would become of vs then , ifweefhouldc followethe greater nomber ? And yet wee fee howca great fort of ignoraunt folkesdor take vponthcmtofay, Tufli, as for them that take vpon them to alter Religion , they bee but a ve- rie fmall nomber , and arc they wjfer than all the world befids > Thus you fee how moft men gafe vpon themfelues, and call a flop in their owne notwhatto doc nor where to become. Where- fore let vs looke to obferue the nije that God giucchvs : & then fliall wee cucr keeps on our courfe,& neuer be turned out of the way for the doubles and diuilions that we fee in the world. And hereunto alfb ought that to f.'ruc v/hich Mofes addzthyToiiaouid ni>t(i:Mzh hc)in« were dif~ obedient. Towhom'rHcfaithnotfingly vntoGod: but vato the mouth of God. This raancr of fpeachc way , to barre themfelues from coniming to io mightfeemeharfliatthcfiiftfightibutyecitim- Godstructli. Andwhatis the caufe thereof? E- uen their blearmg of their owne eyes , by gafing vpon the greater multitude which goethtode- ftruftion. But contrariwife, let vs condemne the whole world, as Noc was faine to doe in his time. And that condemning of his was not in vainc : for he and his houflrold were failed by it.And although rhey were not abouc eight pcrfons in all: yet porteth good doftrine. Wee know that men are alwayes defirous to cxcu'e themfelues whe they wichftand God and incounter his word: and yet for all that they ccaflc noc topiotell that they meane not to be againft God. Their intent then is.thatmcnfhould notthinkc them to doc that which they do. But here to cut oft'occafion ot all ftartingholcs,the holy Ghoft faith cxprefl; ,thac we muft y eeld to Gods mouth. And what is mec durft they fet themfelues againft y whole world: Jo bythismouthofhis?ItishisvttcringofhiswiH and fo muft wee doe. Though all the whole world crie out with one voy cc , tliat it is not now needcfiill to reft vpon the holy fcripture , and that the opinions of the greatwife men of the world fhall ftand : let vsgiueeare to that which GODfayeth. Albeit there were but one man that laboured to bring vs from thecrrours and fuperftitions that haue full fcope euerywhere: yetlet thatone man bee more efteemedat our vnto vs.whenhefpeaketh to vs by his minifters, by hisI*rophets,andby fuchas he raifeth vp iti his Church togoucrne his people. That then is y thing that wee muft take hecde vn:o : for God will not fticwe himfclfe to vs in vifible mancr. True it is that at the fame time he giuc fignes 8c tokens,tothcendit mightbec knowcn chat he himfelfe fpakeby Mofes : butyctinthemeanc wlule he vfed Mofes as his inftrument, & there- handeSjthana hundred thoufand others . For 40 wichall confirmed his lawe which was publi/hi'd wee fee the rule thereof that is giuen vs here. And altliough Mofes was the writer of this Booke : yet is it the holy Ghoftes dooing,v/ho v- fed him as an inftrument. Now then, where it is faide That the f]»ei reported it to bee a good land: wee fee that the two are fetdowneat it were in the roome of all the fweluc, and the other ccnne are laid vnderfoote. For they were not worthic tobeeremembrcd, and weknowcthatGod de- ac that time. After him came the Prophets, and them alfo did God vfe as his mouth : but in die Gofpellwce haue his mouth open moft of all. So then let vs marke well, ythey which proreft that their intent is toferue God,&in the meanc while make none account of his word.as it is vt- tered and left in writing : arc but hypocrices.yea euen ihameleife hypocrites , bicaufc the deede itfelfc proueth them liars. For whereas they on ftroycd them for their vntruftinciTe . Then if jo the one fide fay that their intent is to fcrue God: tliere bee any decemers that fcduce the com- mon people , lb as their wicked doiflrine is re- ceiucd J and men like well of them , and in the meane while there arc very fewe that teache vs to feruc God purely : let vs heare thofe fev/Q^ & let vs not fticke to fay , Thefe arc the teachers thatinftruiS vs rightly what wee ought to doe. Though the nomber of their aduerfariesbe ne- uer fo greatjlet vs noc make any account of the. and God on y other fideintcndcth to trie our o- bedience by fetting his word before vs : y fame is a good triall to dil'cerne whetlier our faying that we be his feruantes, befo in good carneftorno. For thereby it appearcth.that they hearken noc to his word, but rather reieft it, & prcferre their owne opinions and fancies before it. Andfo ye fee a point that ye ought to marke wcl. And hereby it appcareth how much y whole forafmuch as we fee that God deftroyeth them, 60 world is to be condemned now adayes.For y Pa & that they be as it were rafed out of his booke : for beholde, this ftoric written by Mofes is the very rcgifter of God". Infomuch that whereas on the one fide ten men had confpired to mifcarie the peoplcjthey were all reieded, & God made Eoreckening nor account of them. Andf^on the piftes can well ynough fay ,y their intent IS to be fubieft vnto God : yea & to what purpofe clfe do they take fo great paincs, & martyr thefelucs in their fooliftideuotions ? AUthe Idolatries which they commit, they terme by the name of Gods feruice. Butyctfor oil chat,beho]djwec haue the holy Vpon Devteronomie, Cap.i. ^^ holy fcripture wherein God hnch vttercd liis wh.ch caftforth fond & tryfling qiieftlons and willvnto vs and he wil haue men tobc ruled turmoylc heauen& earth, & are neuer conten- thereby. This .s aUedged to the Papiftes,to the ced.bur are aJvvaycs bufie & full ofvnquretnefle. end they (hould not tollowe their ownclykings, Now,thisisacuifed & deadly difeafe And ther- but fiianiitthemlelucs to the bridle in fudi forte foreletvslearneto hearkenvnto Godwhenhe as Cod hath layde it vppon vs. and bearc his fpeaketh to vs,& not to couc: to know any more yoke quietly. Bur contranvvile, they will necdcs than he hath taught vs.&fetteth daily before vs leriie Uod after their owne im.ia,nacions^s we in the holy fcripture.Lct all our widdome be to lee by the conluled mingling chat IS among the", receiue;^ which isvttercdvntovsby^ mouth of [wmchmakcthicmaniteft]chatthcy haue no lo god.rtfoUowcthhowMofesvpbrsided^ people carcatalltooblerue Gods commaundements. that they murmnrtd in the.r tenia fayinv'- Behold,' For their faying is mce thmkcs that this is good, becaufe the Lo, dhateth v> , therefore bj'he brouiht thuswcrewetaughtbyourfaihers.Whcrbywe Vsomof the Und of Egy ft' ar,d brought v,hi,her\. fee that they doe flatly refill Gods mouth.They to « b„riM fUce . Tor our brethren haue made mr vvJlnot ftick afterward to fay. O wee worfliip harte,to.jua,Ce teUmgvi that they far^e Giant, in God.Yeamane, but God will haue mento har- the land , and that the tovne, are rtaMvp to the ken to h IS moutn and we knowe what maner a ctoude, . And to what purpofe then (haU Le voe > one that IS : namely eucn the fame wherewith Here wee fee that when men begin once to doc he hath ipoken by Mofcs and the prophets, and amide, the mifch.cf waxeth ftil worfe and worfe hnally by t.ieApoftlcs by whom he hath taught 20 vnuU it become to the fuU meafure . It was an vs familiarly all chateucr hec would haue vs to cuill beginning aforehand , when the people doe. So then lee vs nowe take good heede to rcfifted God , and would not followc to enter this dodrme , for wee cannot difobcy Gods into thelandatthecommaundementofMofes inouth thatistofayhisvyord butit isa mani- ButisthisallPNo.beholdhereisyctamuch feft defpifing of him: for they be things that dif- more curfed blafphemic , in that the people fer not neither can tliey be feparatcJ afunder. fpyteth GOD, repyning at his brinei.ne of Furthermore not onely the Pap.ftes doe pro- them out of Egypt , and charging him with uoke God by refiftmg his word : hut alfo we fee hatred towardes them . And whereof came thateutn they which poffelTe the Gofpell. will this ? No doubt but hee makcth it plavne - beleue nothing but that which lyketh the'felues. 30 namely for that men fcekc couert indooincel l^orwhatreucrccehaththeholyfcripmre now- uill,andmakenoconfciencc to accufe Godiid adayes amonga nomber of men ? In deedethc to blafpheme his holy name.to the endc tohaue word Gfp£// cofteth them nothing : but m the fome colour wherewith to hide their owne wic- ipeaiie while , if a man tell them chat God kednelTe . Thus you fee how men deale wheit layth not any thing which is not there: eue- they cannot finde in their hartcs to yeeld vnto ry man takes vpon him to bee an interpreter: God. They will ncedes ftill iullifie thcmfelues orels hee fayth , mec thmkcs this is haidc, in their difobedience,fpeciaIly when God prea- and as for that , I cannot difgeft it. And fo , ccth vppon them and koldctli them at a bav afceraseuery man mifiykethof the holy fcrip- ycaand layeth infuch euidencc aeainftthem' tare .lotaketh he Icauc to rcicftone thing or 40 as they be conuifted: fbr then doe thev feeke otlier, whereas notwithftandmg. wee IhouJd in ftartingholes toiuftifie themfclueseuen indef aU poimes haue our mouthes Ihuc when God pitc of God , accufing him and layin- all the Ipeaketh , and our eares open to receiue what- fault vppon him. Trucly this is a curfedlcinde of roeuerhefhythvmovs Forafmuch then aswc dealmg, butyetwefeeitis common, infomuch fee that the doannc of the GofpeU is fo defpi- ..that men doe make euen an arte of it! How ma- fed throughout the worlde and cuery of vs ny are there to be found,tHat wil not blame God fliooteth toorth his owne bolt , and wee will to clcare themfelues ? If a man blame them for ncedes haue fuch flufies and deuifes as lyke it, and charge them with their fauitcs- they will ourlclues , lo as if any thing fecme euiH vnto not graunt that their intent wasfo • but yet the vs, weereiefteit : it may eafily be gathered jo dcedebewrayethchatitisfo.If amanbecrebu- bythefightthcreof, what horrible condemna- kedforhisvices,withwhomhathhetodoe= In tion IS prepared for all fuch as difobay the deedeitmaybe ^itisbuta mortall man which mouth of God.And therforc let vs learn to tern- findeth fault with him & fayth , thou haft done per our lelucs with fuch modeftie, and foberncs, this of that: but yet muft he vnderftand that the that asloone as we haue any record of Gods iudgementisGods. Whenfoeuer any man teU n-ueth, wee may yeelde vnto it without gaine- lech vs that we haue done amifl-c : wee mufl not laying Let that ferue for one poynt, bokc at him that fpeaketh, for Gods word is the And moreouer let vs extend this doftrinc yet iudge .Therefore muft euery man cyte himfelfe loafurthcrvfe: whichis,not to be inquifitiue andasoftas heiswarnedof anvofFc'cc hemull _ot Gods trueth,fUrtherfoorch Chan ids vctcred 60 offer himfelf to Gods iudgemet (cat &confider^ in the holy fcriptures For God will not haue y is the place where he muft appeare to make his vs to fall (as yee woiildc fay ) to pulling out account.Nowlet vsfe how euery ofvs is inclined of hisbowels , as they doe which wiU ncedes or difpofed to cofefTe his faults. Nay, cotrariwifc bee lurching out of mcalure, and more than wefeckeaKftiiftswecan roftiroudourfelues & theyhauclcaue todoe. We fliall fee anombet wehaueourlurkingholes.infomuch ^ euenwhe oftantafticaUfeUovvcs & giddibr.-und perfons, webetoomanifeftlyc6waedofourfins,yetwc csafc 34 The 6. Sermon Of Iohn Calvin. ceafe not to wrangle ftill.But our Lord will not fuffer vs to fcapc him fo by our fond excufes. He followeth ftill vpon vs, and then begin wee to gnafli our teeth athim. We fee that thefc would cxcufe tbemfclues . But when they fall to re- plying, with how fo? fee we not that the euill is alieady apparant?Therforc when men pcrceiuc themfelues to befo preacedatby Gods word,- they become as wilde beaftes, they fpit out and lewes that were in the time of Mofcs , to the in- tent thatwe lliould profit? in the fearc of God by their example , and bearc in minde that they which will ncedes ftand lo wilfully in their vi- ces, tliall in the end fall to flat fpking of God, andblafphemehis name, turne good into euill, deface his mercie as much as they can , mingle hcauen and earth together , and make a hellillic confufion of allthinges . Wherefore let vs ftand caft vp their poyfon,they fpite God apparantly, lo in awe, and walke on in humiLtie and Warinefl'c, &rayic at his word.And would God y examples thereof were not fo common as we fee they be. Wherefore let vsmaikc.that this text ought to fcrue vs as a looking glafle.whcrcin to behold the frowardncfle that reigneth throughout the world. Andwhenwehaue doneanulfc , let vs learne to abfteine fromwilfulneflc. Forelfein the endewcfliall fall into the bottomlcffe pit of bhfphemingGod,& if we continue in thatftub glorifying God. Againe, when we haue com- mitted God any fiult , let vs be afrayd , yea and cuenmourneforit, and not pretend ony mat- ter or quarell againft God , but rather flee to his onely mercie for refuge, being vtterly afliamcd and caft downe in our felues . And fo ye fee what we haue to markevppon this text , where it is fayd that the Icwes murmured in their tcts, faying that Gods bringing of them out of the borncs&vnwillingnestoacknowledgcourown iO landofEgypt, was bccaufe he hated them. viccs.intheend wefhalfalto refifting God fa- iioLifly,asit befell to thcfe wretches of whome Mofes fpeaketh here . For when men wil ncedei maintaine themfelues after that force in their wicked quarels againft God, they fall not onely into difobedience , but alio into fturdincfle, yea euen into moft Ihamefal & beaftly fturdintile.as we fee here. It was too grofle a fault already, when the people had faid, how fliall we goe , or Now furthermore it behoueth vs to marke , that the caufe of their ray ling , was for that they knewe not Gods power, notwithftandmg that it was apparant to th«ta . For although they had felt it enough,& more than enough ro haue co- firmed thewithahyet neuertheles.as foon as they heard fpeaking of the talnefle of theu: enemies, of.their walled cities, & of their ftrong holdes: by and by their hearts failed them and they were what can we do, feeing the towncs are fo ftrong ,0 vtterly difmaid.And why ?Surcly God had giiien and the people fo giantlyke ? It was too much already to rcfift God after that fafliion . But be- hold, here is yet a more excefliue vnthankefiil- iiclfc. For in ftead of bethinking themfelues of Gods grace, in deliuering them from the thal- ilome of Egypt: they fal to ray ling at him. What (Iny they;) Would God haue fetched vs out of the land of Egypt , if he had not hated vs ? Now alas what hatred was it! When God pitied his them proofc of his mightie power, to the intent they fhould haue truftedto him as I haue fayd heretofore. But what for that > They (hut their eyes at all thofe thinges , and tliercwithal fell to grudging ailoone as they heard of any diitreflc. And euen fo doe we. For when God calleth vs, or commaundeth vs to goe: we will fee afore- hand whether there be any lettes or no. How fhalll goe, fay wee ? for there is this let and that poore creatures, they were euen at the laft caft: „ let : and as for me , I haue no ftrength at all.And they were intreated lyke wretched flaues ,yea inthemeanc feafonwe confider not tliat God euen to the drawing of the bloud out of their Mich.^,3. vaines: they wercfo cruelly handled, as was hor- rible to fee:8c in the end the tyianny was grow- en fo farre , that all their malechildren were niurthcred , ofpurpofe to make cleane riddance of them , and to wipe out the very remembrance of them. Euen at this pinch, did God haue com- paflion vppon the people . Could any greater goodnes haue bin fhswcd? And when as he faith jo by his prophet , My people, what harme did I thee in bringing thee out of the land of Egypt? doeth it not appeare thereby that they were too too malitions and frowarde ? I planted a vine [ fayth God] and looked for good fniite: & now tiiou wilt choke thy maifter with thy fowerncfTe. Now then feeing that this deliuering of them outoftlieland of Egypt, was a lingular warrant of Gods goodnelle , loue, and mercie towardes is ftrong enough for vs , and that it is his power which makeih vs to walke on , and to ouercomc all that euer the dcuill trumpeth in our way. Now then, wee can neuer yceld God his due honor, to truft in him , to put our felues into his hand , and to hope that he will helpc vs and giuc vsthevpperhandofall thinges that mayturnc vs out ofthe right way:cxcept we haue an eye to the benefits we haue receiucd before. Andfo we fee that Mofes rehearfeth not here' a fingle fto- ric.y we might the betterknow what God hath willed vs to doe: but rather that hefettcth be- fore our eyes what we be, together with the vi- ces that are but too common among among vs ^ to the end we tliould learne to put our truft in Gods ftrength . What is to be done then ? We feeourownefrailetie .howbeit not fo much as were requifite: but yet, that which we fe ought to them : muft it not ncedes be that they were ftark g^ make vs nangdowne our heads. Ncucrthelefre, mad, when they twited God with his bringing of thein outof Egypt , charginghim that he did it of hatred towardes them? Were it pofTiblc that men fhould ouerfhootc themfeluesfo farre, if they were not become ftarke deuils ? No: but as I fayd afore , this dodrinc is wrinca of the when we knowe once y there is no power in vs to follow Gods wdL let vs ftep to the rcmedie , let vsnotbeoutofhartforit, neither letvsdoeas they doe which thinke themfelues quit bccaufe they haue not wherwith to fteady turne, faying, ohryr,Iamofflefliandbloud,Iani a roan. And what Vpon Devteronomie» Cap. i. 35 whatisthactofay.biitthatchouartinfin , and multitude of wicncflesQoauow &wan:ant]our vncleane ?butmanic mcnlay fo.to thcintencco faich.Now thenlctvslearne,thatifwc fighcvn- Rom 4, »} walhetheirhandcsofk. They may well lay, as der kfusChiift, who hath told vs that fin is o- formc,Iha«enotlbgreatfticngth-trucitisthac ucrcome by his death andpaflion,& thebondcs loughctodoe itjbuti am not able. Yea roarie, of death arc broken tothcmtenc tofet vsfree: Col.j.a. but is there not a God yean do It for vsi'ycs: and itbecommcthvsnow tolookevpto heauen, & therefore when we once knowe ourownewcak- tomarch on boldly tliroughy world forafmuch ncU'e , let vs learne to fceke thc_rcmcdic , foraf- as he being rifcn againe , llieweth' vs that the much as god hath promifed vs y fpurit of ftregch, pofleflion of righteoufncffe and lyfe is alTured that being grounded thereupon . wee may not 10 vntovs^becaufe the power oflrisfpirit is vctaed doubt but that wee (hall ouercome aUour enc- therein. Seeing we hauc fuch a confirmauon to ^0™''-+' mies, andalltheaflaultcsthatcanbem^adevp- warrant vsthekmgdomeof heauen thatis pro- pon vs. Furthermore let vsalfoconfidery power mifedvntovs:(houldwebecowardly ? what ex- of our enemies, and the greatnefle of tempta- cufewil there be ifwe play the daftards and nice tions . For wee haue not to doe with fleftie and cockneyes.>But ro the end we may obey our God bloud, they that fight againftvs are not mortall and not prouoke his mouth :letvsfal to ftreng- andtranfitoriemen.butthey be all the powers thening of ourfelues in him. For what caufed of the avre, and the prince of the worlde praAi- this wretched people to nirnc away lo from his feth all y he can to difcomfit vs. Now therefore, calling' Euen their confidering of their enemies when we once knowe the force ofSatan, and the 10 force according to their owne nature, and tlieir meanes that he hath to breakc vs, and to vndoo for<;etung of God and his power in the meane vs: letvsnotfaile to take courage, and to bee while , Let vs learne then to make fuch ac- of inuincible conftancie. And why? for we know count of the ftrcngth of our God , as that wee your God hath promifed vs the vpper hand of al may bythepowerofhis fpiritegctte the vpper that euer Sata (hal praftife againft vs. And ther- hand in all incountcrs that hee bringeth vs vn- fore it is hey wemuft tmft vnto.Thus we feegc- to: for hee will not hauc vs to be idle in this nerally how we ought to put this dodrine in vre. prefent lyfe . Hee coulde well enough fet v s in Now haue we to goe through with the reft quiet at the firft inftant , Pj as wee fhouldcnot of the fimilitudc which I glaunced at here be- be troubled any mancr a way , nor the worlde fore: which is.that we muftconfider, that feeing 30 make wane againft vs , nor we be tempted at all God doth call vsnowadayes , not tothe poflef- byourownefleflie.andthatSatanfliouldbeefar fing of the lande of Chanaan, nor to be lodged of from vs .God I fay could well maintaine vs in herein this world for a fewedayes, buttocomc eafeatthefirft inftant: butheintendeth to trye to the heauenly lyfe, and to the immortall inhe- our patience : for he will haue vs to be men of ritance: itbecoramethvs to take courage , and warre. Wherefore let vs on our fide fight, yea 10 acquaintourfelues with this doftrine. And fee let vs fight luftily : and if our enemies bee too Wil. I ) J. 8, '"§ t^^f God hath told vs , that his reaching of ftrong for vs,(as wee finde that they be in deed) fcPhil.i.fi. hishandonce vnto vs is not in vaine , and that let vs flee for refuge to tHe hclpe that our Lordc he will goe through with his worke: wee on our hath^promifcd vs , and wee fliall oucrcomc partmuft determine ftilly to goe through with 40 all lets ifwcc fight in the ftrength of God . But our courle , and not to ftirinke m the middes of yet let vs marke that wee muft fight vnto death, thcway.Thusyefce,firftofallthat webe more andnot dye once oncly: but hauc deathprcfcnt to blame than the lewes of olde time, if wee dayly. hearken not to Gods mouth , confidering that For .what elfe is a Chriften mans lyfe , than his intent is not.only to giue vs an earthly dwel- an indeuoring to renounce the worlde and all Lng place to lodge in,but to call vs right foorth liisowne afFeftions >And therefore looke how to the kingdomc of heauen, and to the imroor- many good thoughtes wee haue, fo manie are Roa».8.i}. tall glorie, whereof wee bee made partakers a- thedeathesof our owncfrowardnature:foasit forehand by hope. Andbefides this, weefec af- is notpoffibleforvstoferueGodone day, but terwhatforte our Lord hath called vs. For he Jo wfemuftdy ahundred.yeaandathoufandtimcs: hath not giucnvs fuch Spyes at were giucn to Ifaye wee muft dye by beating downe the fin- the people of oldc time, he hath not giucn vsa fulnefle of our owne nature : for wee bee full doofen perfons to report vnto vs what manera of vices . So then let vs marke well, thatGod Apoc.i.;. landitis :but heehathfentvshisonelyfonne, is fo farre of from making account of Liuer- Rom. 8. II. wl^oisafaithfullwrtnefle of the inuifible hen- hearted feruants , that delight in cafe , com- &i.Cor.i5.* tage.yea and he hath giue vs good hanfel there- moditie and pleafure : that hee will not one- 30. of m his ry fing againe . Wee haue the twelue A- ly haue vs to fight , but alfo to be ready c to poftles which were chofen according toy nom- dye , and to put the doftrinc in vre which I bcrofthc tribes of Ifi-aell, & they were as good come now to touch : that is to fay , to bee astwtluetrupettetstomake gods voyce heaid 60 chaunged and lenued cuerye mmute of an throughout the whole world.And befides tliem, houre. there hathbin a great doude of witncfles,as the Moreoucr let vs note alfo .y lykc as our Lord Hcb.it.i, Apoftletermcth them in the twelfth tothe He- lefusChriftwas burycd after hee had bin cruci- brewcs,wherebyhcmeaneth that ifwe were not fiedandfufferedy rcproch of his death: fomuft ouer dull, &worfe than vnthankefiil &churlifh: we be buryed too . For it is not enough for vs to it might well fufficc vs to hauc fuch an infinite dye one day and no more,as fomc doc, (which haue 35 The 6, Sermon Of Iohn Calvin hauc cood braydes, fo as ye would thinke them , we hauc once confidercd all thefe thinges: then ready°to t'orfake themfelues vctcrly , and there murt wc alfo bcthinke ouv felucs where unto it is appcareth great willingnes in them to renounce that God calleth vs , that is to wit , to the king- thc world: but fuddenly they will needes fall to dome of heauen . Therefore we muft alwayes reftmgthcrc.andthey can noskill of entering haUe our countenance as it were fct faft vppon into thegraue:)Butwc muft holdeoutinit,fo as theheauenlylyfe,andlooketl^lther^vard,fo as when wee haue once learned to dye with Chrift, allourwittes, allourdefircs,and all our inde- andtocrucifieouroldemanas S.Paul termcth uors tend thither . For if wc haue not an eye it to the Romans : we muft alfo be ready to goe to the kingdome of heauen: wee muft needes Rom.<.#. into the grauc, that is tofay, all that euer is in 1° ftirinkcatcucry incountcr cuery minute of an Roa).4.<5. yj jj, -^^ jefpeft of the v/orld and of our owne houre. Thus then ye fee what wee haue to doc flefhe, muft bevtterly aboliflied, and wee our in that cafe. And moreouer to the intent our feluesbecomenothing.Tobelhorte, wee muft hartesquailenot asMofesfaythhere: letvsm- defirenothingbutto hauc our lyfe hidden with deuertoftrengthenourfelueswichthepowerof Col 5 1 Chrift ,(as fayth Saint Paul to the Colofllans) the holy ghoft . and confider that (as it is fayd yea and to haue it hidden til his comming a- by the prophet Efay, and aUedged by the Apo- ^'^^[^'^jj^,,^ gaine. But in any wife let vs beware that wee be ftleintheEpiftleto theHcbrewes,)the Gofpel notviithankefiill:for wc ftiall licuer take cou- hath this propertic and nature with it, that rage , but by coniidering the incftimable wor- when wee feele our knees wcikc and trembling, thyn'eflc of ^ good things whereunto God hath lo when our armes are feeble and after a fort broo- caUed vs. And therefore when we heare that the fed and broken, and when wc be hemmed in on people confidered not Gods bringing of them all fides with impediments that hinder vs from out ofthe land of Egypt: let notvs followethat following our vecation: itmakethvs torefortc trace jfor it were the next way to put vs out of to Gods word , which ought to ftrengthen vs hart. So then,we (hall neuer make anie account and to make our armes and legges found and itallof Gods benefites which wee haue recei- luftie againe .and fpecially to ftrengtiien vs in ued alreadie , and which he (hall haue made vs our hearts and mindcs. to feelc: except we hauc our eye alwayes faft fee Now let vs kneele downc in the prefcncc of vppon the promifed land, that is to wit, vppon our good God with acknowledgement of our the eueilafting lyfe.And thercforeon the one 3^ faultes. praying himtomakevsfeelethembet- part wee muft oftenrimes bethinkc' vs of Gods tcr than we haue done, fo as we may repent vs benefites, and call toraindchis goodnelTe and rightly ofthem.and being afliamcd in our fellies mercic towardes vs which we haue felt.Bui that reforte vnto him. sflliring our felues that ( as he is not all that wc haue todoe : when wee hauc hath promifed to receiue all wretched (inners once confidercd how God hath (hewed himfelfe that come vnto him vpon truft of his grace by to be our redeemer,how he hath taken vs out of meanes ofthe deatli and paflion of our Lordc the horrible bbndnelTe wherein we were,how he leJiis Chrift) wee (hall be accepted of him and hathinhghtenedvs with the brightneffc of his andhis wrath pacified towardes vs, though wee Gofpel andhowhehathdonevsfomany good haue prouoked him neuer forauch. And let vs lurneseuen in rcfpcftofour bodies, as we ought 4^ pray him, notonely that wee may obtcyne for- s well to vnderftand that he hath fliewed himfelfe giueneffe ofourfiiinespaft: but ajfo to guide vs a father and fauiour towardes vs : but fpecially henceforth by his holy fpirite , and to drawe vs when wc haue throughly weyed or rather wor- from all the vanities ofthe worlde , fo as he fa- {hippedthegoodneswhichhchathfliewedvsin ihionvs according tohis owne righteoufnefle, all the fpiritualbenefites y wc haue receiued at and make vs fccle the fruite of the viftorie and his hand:(for they be the cxcenenteft,& we alfo triumph that is prepared for vs ia heauen. That ought to cfteemc them more than al the bodily it may pJeafe him to graunt this grace,not only things that we could haue had at his hand:)whe to vs but alfo to people & nations o(y earth. &c. On Wednefday the xvij. of April, i ^.^ 5» Thefeutnth Sermon vpon thefirB (Toapter. 29 And I fayd vnto you.drcad not, neither be afraidc of them. 30 The Lord your God which gocth before you will fight for you, lykc as hec did with you in Egypt before your eyes. 31 And in the wildcrneffe where thou haft fccnc how the Lord thy God bare thee ('euen as a man beareth his fonnc ) in all the way which ye hauc gone, vntill ye be come vmo this place. 32 And yet for all this, you hauc not beleeued the Lord your God, 33 Who to prouidc you a place to pitch your rentes in, went beforeyouin the way , in fyrc by night to giue you light in the way that you fliould goe , and in a cloudc by day. If Har* Vpon Devteronomie, Cap. I Fhardincfll-vvcrcwcU taken, it were an excellent \ crtue wor- thic of great prayle , and excee- dingly rcquifite in al a mans life. For it wee be fearefuU.atjd liaue -* -J notalloutcouragc to doe well: it will be an eafie matter to cary vs to all naugh- tinefle. But yet for all that, the worlde knoweth 37 nothow to bee hardie . And that IS the caufe why men arefo much giuen to rafhneflc, S:fo lo flcllie , is deadly enmitic agamil GOD , as lyke men of warre that are waged to battcll . And whobc our enemies"-' Satan. with all the llufccs that he hath , and all the vnbclccucrs through whom we muft pallc . For here wee be mingled with fuchas feckc nothing tls but the deftruftign of Gods children, wcehaue infinite temptations, and to be iliort wee ncede ncuer togooutofourfeluestofindemcountersenow: forallourluftes , and all that fpringeth of our bold & oucrbold to aducture vpon foolifh-mat- cbcs without aduifemct.Butif we aducture vpon thmgsonourov/nhcad &fancie,S:put not our trulHn God: itis a building without a founda- tion. Neuerthelcfl'e, it is not for vs to lookefor Gods helpc, furtherfoorth than he hath bound himfclfe to it by his promifcs . The way then that we ought to be hirdy, is that when wchaiie once fought out Gods will, wee obey it fimply fa}th S.Paul to the Romans. Seeing then that Rom-S./. God hath ordeyncd that wcclhould maintcme battel! all our ly fe long , and wee haue a greate forte of enemies , yea and thofc very niightie and ftrong , which ncuer ceafe troubling of vs: it behoueth vs to get vs hard:nes: for if we flirink, anon we be oucrcome. Therefore it ftandeth vs on hand to be 'armed with inuinciblc conftancie, or elfe if cuery ofvs followe hisowne fwindgc. without attempting any thing at our owne plea- ;o G°<^ wiljet vs alone.So then,are wedcfirous that fure. Be wee once at that poync , wee muft ex- amine ourowne ftrength and abihue , and fin- ding nothingbut weakenclle there , wee muft vtterly diihuft our felues and refort vnto God. And foraimuch as he of his owne free goodnefle vouchfafeth to afl'ure vs that hce will not leaue vs at our neede : we muft thereupon conclude, y we cannot miliary being vnder his proteftion. Now then wee fee that the true hardmelTe God fliould guide vs,& hold vs vnder liis prot;- dion, & witliftandour enemies to riue vs viifto- rie againft them ? Let vs walkc in obedience,and learne to leade our lyfc according to his will. For whofocuerroueth abroad atrandon, torfa- keth Gods helpc.Againe, let no man bcijuilc himlelf vpon trull of men,forafmuch as they -..re commonly difapointed of their enterpriles. And it is good reafon that God lliould laugh them to which God alloweth of , is when men truft not 50 skorne, when they fling fordifo at aladuenturc ' ■" ' ' ' ' ' ' and keepe neither way nor path . But lyke as moft men-are (bouerluilie, that they can away with nothing worfc,than to bearc the yoke that Godlayethvpponvs:foeuery man would haue libertie to doe what he lifteth,and it is fecne that all men make warre againft God and his worde, foas their iollitie cannot be daunted, but they be worfc than wilde beaftes . And therefore doe moft men abide themfelues with theii- owne de- lothemPelucs ,nelcane to their owne wit and reafon , but yeelde thcmfelues wholy to him that ought to gouerne them, and depend vpon his grace for all thingss which they want, and thereupon goe fore\vard ftoutly , withoutllirin- king or fwaruingone way or otlicr. And this leC- Ion IS ihewed vsin the text that Irehearfed euen nowoutof Mofes. For there hee cxhorteththe people to hardineile, and iTiewcth them why, The Lorde your God (i'^ythhe) vlUfightforyoit, .q uices: for they regard not what God permitteth As if hee (hould fay. If you efteeme yourfelues the more for your great multitude , or tliinke to ouercome your enemies by your own power: itis but foolifh prefuraption, and God wil punilh you for being fo puffed vp with pride . And if ye ihould attempt any tiling without Gods leauc and without hauing his worde for it: that alfo were an ouerweening vvhich (hould not fcape vnpunifned. Butforafmuch as Godis on your fide, and yo dwughtwithhim. them to doe. When a man will aduauhce him- felfcfor vaineglorie, he rcgardeth not whatis lawfiilljbur piJleth,polleth,and filcheth bv hookc orbycrooke. He hath an eye to the ordmarie cuftome of die world , but as for to frame him- 'felte after Gods lawe, he-hath no minde at all: He neuer thinketh thus with himfelfe, behoide, inyGod giuethme no leaue to doe this thing, and therefore I muft forbeaicit.He hath no fuch you haue his promife that he will not failc you, and you be not come hither but by his leading of you wi'ih his owne hand: Be not afraid . Thus fendech he them to Gods will, to tlie ende they fhoald not doc any thing which is not lawful!. Againe,he will haue them to leane altogether to Gods promifes,andbecaufe they could not haue in themfelues the thingcs that were rcquifite:he will haue them to hope that God will affift them. Wei may men coakes themfelues for a time, and beare themfelues on hand that all the world fauoreth thein : but in the end, God will make all tlieir ent;rprifes to vanifti away,fo as they lliiUbe all confounded. And why? Bec.iufe they ranne gadding about , and kept not the ri5;hc way. Now then, if we will be gmdedby Gods, hand, and fuccorcd by him at our neede : let vs Icarneto rule our lyfe aright, and to fubmitit NoWjthis was fpoken to the lewcs whom Mo- ^'q wholy vnto him. If wecbe not at that poynt.Iet Icsgouerned at that time: butyetisitadodnne whole vfeiseuerlaftingin Gods Church, as is (ayde afore. We haue not the Chananitesfor our enemies againft whoiiie to fighcbut yet Aoz wee knowe y this prelciit life of ours lliall not be idle, but chat God will haue vs kept occupyed vs not looke for any helpe at his hand: but raiher tohauehimagainftvsaswc beeworthie. Thus much concerning the firft point. But yet for all this,the matter lyeth not alto- gcther in being defirous to feme God, & toab- fteine fro the 10011111 attempts y cary men awav. D For 3^ The 7. Sermon Of Iohn Calvin For there may be fomc that arepliable enough, and tranfiroric encmics,neeied to hauc God tf> &which wouldfaine doethe thuigesthat God tight forthem:whathadweneedof?I pray you^ commaundethrbut therewithal! they be puffed when wee fee Satan and all the v/orldcreadic to vp with a fond fcU"ewecning,bcanng themfclues giue aflault vpon vs, y ea and that he hath alrca- in hand that they be able to compallc the things die gotten the forehand of vsj and in the mcanc that they haue to doe,and trufting to their owne while wee haue neither wall, norbanketo holdc reafon. But our Lord cannot abide to be robbed them out , but (which is woife) allourowTie ofthchonorthat belonged! vnto him. Forwhai luftes are as dartes wherewith Satanmay ferue hauewcc whereof ic is lawful! for vs to boaft? his turne to wound vswithall: can wee defend When wc haue gathered all our powers vnto vs, 10 our felues , hauing fo hard a battel! to beare out? wccihalllinde them to be notlung but a vaine No; and fo wee fee how the poorepapiftes arc and fond ihew . And therefore wee muft bee decerned , in prefummg vppon their owne free- fainctoput to the fecorid poynt which I haue will, and in bearing themicliies on hand that if touched. Which is , that here we be warned to they haue neuerfo little helpe of God, they can iiibmit our felues to the obedience of God ,fo as vvcll enoughget the vpper hand of Satan. On wefeekethcthinges that he giuethvs Icaue to the contrary part , ins not fayd that God will fceke,&askecounfellathis mouth what things fupply fome little default with his power, and he lyketh and alloweth: to the intent that know- that wee muftfight lirft to prcuenthim : it is ing our felues to bee ouerweake , yea and that not fayde fo , but that it ;j our God thit fgh- there isnovvifcdome,ftrength,nor towardnelTe io teth for i/t . It followeth then that all thace- in vs, but that alour powers faylc vs: wee may uer wee doe , is done by theonelypov*cr thaC pray him to guide vs and to giue vs good dire- hee giueth vs , fo as it is borrowed of hira. ttion, and to hold vs vp with ftronghahd, foas True it is thai wee would faynerunne,&thac wee ground not our fellies vpon our owne wee- wee make great indeucrs to ferUe God : biic ning or opinion, but altogether vppon thealTu- whereof conimeth that , but of this , that krtow- raunce of his wordc. Hadi God promifed to ingourfclucs tobevttcrlyvnable, wecprcfume helpevsr then ktvs not doubt but he will doe not vppon any poweror abilitie of our owne, it. Haue we no promife at his hand? then muft butdoefcelcthatwe benot yet come to perfe- wencedesbe atourwittesende, till he comfort ftion? Andfo,tobelhort, all our lighting com- v s and ftrengthen vs by fliewing vs his wil. Thus .q mcth of the meere grace of the holy Gholl. yee fee what wee haue to markc vppon tliis text True it is that God workcth not in vs as Itt of Mofes. loggcs or blockesrfor his will is to exercife vs as And therefore although it be vnpoflible for 1 haue fayd already . Therefore when we fhouldE a chriften man to ftep one ilcp without falling : doe well , wee muft haue a good mouing and X yet muft wee not be out of hart. The reafon is. liuely affeftion : and although wee haue bin let- becaufe wee haue Gods promifc , that he wM fight ted and drawen away , yet muft wee take cou- Epb.rf.ll. /irw. Our fighting (fay thSamt Paul) isnota- rage to inforce our felues, chatGod may workc gainftflenicandbloudjbcholde, allthepowers in vs as in his inftruments. To beftiort, the of the ayre are againft vs . For the diuil is named battels of the faithful! arc paynfull enough: hue the prince of the world, he is abouevs, and hoi- .Q yetforal y,wemuft comebackc to this point, -- dcthvsasitwerebetwecnchispawesandinhis thatit isGodwhichwotkcthby vs,and thatall throate, fo as he is lyke enough to fivaUowe vs thateuerVveedoeproceedetliofhim .infomuch vpcueryminut5ofanhourelykealyon:andwe that without him wee could not ftir one finger, haue neither ftrengthnorllnfc to wiihft.ldhiin. no nor fo much as thinkeone good thought. Butj'ct for all that.we muft concludc.that for- And fo yee fee how this faying thttt the Lordohr afmucii as we be in the protcdion of oui' God, Godfighteth for vs, is accomplilhcd . When wee webefureoftheviftorie.itwefightwel. There- beoncecomctothatpoynt, although our ene- 10 re kt thisfay ing be well printed in our minde, mies be ncuerfo terrible, yet Ic t vs not be as mea tliai the Lord our God trill pght for vs . When there difmayed , alluring our felues that God alone is isanyqueftionofdoingwell, the Papiftes cling .^ ftrongenoughforvs, and that although all the to their own fieewill,and it I'cemcth to the that world fhould fet thcmfelues agarnft vs , yee God lay cth the brydle in their nccke, fo as they ought wee not to care for them, be able to doe this and that, whereby they ouer- Haue wee made that account once , with fill throwctliemfeluesastheybc worthy. But con- purpofe to withftand all Satans ailaultcs : we trariwifeletvs flee to ourGodjand hope to haue mull alfo put the fame doftrine in vre in all the him doc the thinges that we cannotdoe. reftofourlyfe.Andfo, whenweefce our felues Furdicrmorc let vs maike well, that this do- befct with neuer fomany wicked perfons , and ftrine could not If ande, vnleflc wee were vnablc that they lie in way te for vs, continually follow- to fightfor our Iclucs. For were wee of power to ingtheir!ewd praftifesanddeuices: whathauc rc/ifte our enemies, Gods fighting for vs were g^ wee to doe ? Wee multwalkc on playncly and more than needed . Then doth it fo!low,that his vprightly , and not hold with the hare and hunt fighting is becaufe wee haue no power at all , be- With the hound as they fay. caule our armcs are as good as broken, and be- When wee fee that the wicked labor all caufe wee bee lame from the fble of the foote to that they can to ouerthrowe vs , let vs not the crowne of the head . And in good footh, if doeas they doe, butlct vs looke what God com- the lewes hauing to Joe but onelie w'itli mortiU maundcth vs,& frame our felues thereafter.And I beiides Vpon Devteronomie. Cap.i. 39 beWcs that , let vs confider , that we (hall bee as a pray to them, if God had vs not mhis kee- ping. ButfceinghcehathpiomXedvs thathce willhaueacareofvs, (asm deede he is our fa- ther) and that he will maintainc vs inouf iuft qiiaicls, andfethunfclfe agamft all fuch as la-_ bortoopprellc the right : forafmuch ashcc ot his infinite goodncfle vouclifalcth to tal«L_our cafe m h:ind: let vs goe on hardily, and although himfelfc, and kcepeth continually at one ftay. Thus may wee allure our fcluesot' Gods grace for the time.to come , by our former experience of his fuccounng of vs at our neede heretofore, in that he hath reached vs his hand.To be [liort, all the good that God doethvs , ought to feme vs to confirme our faith. But nowclctvs fee what our vnthankeful- neffe is. For hath there palled any day fine c our ourene;iiiesbeneuerfo w)'ly ,&hauethevvoild jo comming into the worlde .wherein Gcd hath at will, and hauc a iiorober of praftifes ready for vs:Iet not all tins abafh vs , nor make vs to ftep ouc of the right way . For why? feeing that God is on our fide , whatalliame were it to preferrc mortal! men before him , as though they were abletogetthevpper hand of him:- So lengthen as the creatures are not able to prcuaik againft God , let vs aifuie our fclues of the vidorie, for- afmuch as It cannot but fall on our fide. Th notafliilcd vs athoufand waycs? ye a and did we not linde him a father.beforc we knew him , yea and euen before wee came out of our mothers wombe ? Howfliouldthe childcbe nourifhcdin the mothers womb whe he is there as in a grauc, vnlefle God vttered a woderful goodncfle ther- in ?Be we once entered into the world ? behold, wee be hemmed m round about with mifcries. Could we parte ouer one minute of an houre , if you fee how wee ought toapply thisdodrine of lo God /hewed not hinifelfe to haue a continuall Mofcstoourvfe Furthermore we muft alfo. wey well tliis fay- ing which he. iddeth, namely that Godhadgaun them a hanfel thereof in Eg^ft,lo as they hid ^ooi warrant to put their truft m h'im,and that through • CM the wildernejje he had ruled thtm fyk^ iittkbabes, tittdbirnethem inhii mmet. S^-eing inslo (faytli hec) chat you haue had proofe of tire power of yourGodindeliueringycu from thehandesof carcofys'- Now then feeing that oiu: God hath vttered himfclfe vnto vs fo manie wayes: is there any excule for vs if wee be ftlU in doubt and di- ftruft of him , fo as wee cannot leane vnto him? Againe let eueiy man looke vpon himfelfe £hovv God hath dealt with him paiticularly. ] For bc- fides the common courie of this worldly lyfe, andthethinges that are ordinarie to all men, euery manoughttoconfider thu^: Goco,Ihauc your enemies: and feeing vou haue alfo percei- 30 bin in fuch a daungerandin fuch a neceflitie, ■ ■ ' ■ ■ ' ' and god hath helped me. How hath he wrought with me vnto this day 1 Hath it bin long of my fclfethati haue not bin vndone and dcftroyed a hundred tliowfand times^ was it through mine own power.that I hauc bin preferuedrNo. Then muft it needes be that Ihad his hclpe to fauc me, duringchetimithatlwas as good as lenfckirc. And ;jfterward he (hewed methelyke fauoura- gaine , when I had not yet any difcretion to ac- ued his fatherly care towardcs you, and that not for one day oucly ,butfor a long rime toge- ther: You be too too vnthankcfull if you make not this conclufion , that he will no morefailc you hereafter . Tobeelliortthen , to confirme this people withall , Mofes alledgcth here the experience of Gods fauor which they had had. And although tins poynt hath bin tr^ted of heretofore: yet forafmuch as it is repeated again by Mofes: I muft needes rehearfe It againe and ^o knowledge it .and to hoiwr hmi fbru. Now if I put ycuin remembrance thereof: for there is no fuperfluitie in y fpsach of the holy Ghoft . Wher- fore let vsmarke well, tliat when God putteth vsmmindeofhis former hclpe and grace, his meaning is that wee (hould thmke weU vppon the great nomber of bcnefites which we haue re- ceiued at his hand . And the fame ought to ferue vs for a warrant,that he wil continue to the end. For he is not lykemortall men which alter and . change their minie: neither IS his abilitieabrid- 50 putvsoutofminde. After this manermuftwee Pe4:andtobelhirt,heneuerceafethtodomen putthis text in vre, where Moles Ipea^eth to haue rcctiuedfo many bcnefites of him : ought Inottohope that he will continue to doefo to me Ibllhereafter? Let eueiy man then bethinke him of the bcnefites that he hath reccmed ac <3ods hand , aswellforhis foulc as for his body: andthenlhallweebcfulficientlyconuiaedjthat he hath powrcd out the riches of his goodncile vpponvs, andthatinfuchforte.aswe may well truft in him , that he will neuer forfake vsnor ge4: ^^ ...-. V good: whereas on trie other fide, if aman haue done his friend a pleafure , he will perchaunce be willing ro doe as much for him the fecond time . But if his friend make none endc, he will be wearie of him . For he may fay he is not able to doc for al men,and that he hath otlier friends whcfthc muft doe for.as wcl as for him. Againe, wee know that men are not conft.mt. But there thelewes and fayth thus : confidcr what you haue found at the hand of your God vnto this hoiure . How hath hee dealt with you ? how mightily hath he ouermaiftrcd the lad of Eg)'pr, and delaiercd you-firom the bondage wherein you were;' And befides this, Mofes noteth here a double circiimftance , whereby the people wereconui-^edof cods mighty woikin:; in their is no fach thine in God, for the more good that 60 behalfe. For (fayth he) Hehmh foi,ght for you • If- inEqyft.yeaeuettbejoreyottreyes.ksiiheihoMi hiuefayd, that the miracles !vhich God had wrought, were not daikfonie nor done in hud- ther mudther, but fo openly , and spparantly , as the people cculd notfay , we knowe not how the cafe ftandeth . God then flicwed liimfelfe Da after we receiucofhim. the readier arc his riches for vs.and they neuer diminilh. And as for him, he dothnotthingesbyfittesas creatures doe , but heconunuethalwayesinonewiU. There is not fomuchasanvouerfhadowinginhim , as fayth Umes,i.i7- ^amtlames ,'to Ihewe that he is. alwayes lyke 4t) The 8, Sermon Of Iohn Calvin. after a vifiblc wanner inthatbehalfe,foasycc but yctfor all that, it is hceto wtiomeweebe cannot butknowethathereachcdouthisarnie. beholden for all . Now therefore , when wee Thatisthcfirrtofthetwocircumftances. once perceiue that God hath giuenvs ftrength Theotheris this where hce addcth , that and ftoutneirc to outiland the temptations that from the time of the feofUi dtUutratmce , God hid Satan hath ftirrcdvpagainftvs: that wee hauc: mMtitainedthem ^yeaAndthat with fiith I'^indtnefie notbinwofidedto denthby his venomous daits and gent Une fie J as a father that had borne hit childe and arrowes : that we haue not wallowed in the iiibii armes could not haue done more for him. Now mucke of this worlds : that wee haue not bin thcfetwopoyntesbclongtovs.Fortheybeethe caught in the fnares of the wicked: that their too meanes whereby God procurcth and fur- lo praftifes and wiles haue not preuailcd againft thereth ourfaluauonjVntill he haue brought it vs : andtliat God hath fuccoured vs at all af- ro full pcrfeftion. On the one fide hee fighteth faycs : I fay when wee haue percciued chat: for vs : for wee fhall neuer bee without enemies let vs alio confider that God hath borne vs , thac as hath bin declared already . If wee benotac- he hath fed and nouriihcd vs , that hec hath Quainted with God, the deuill willreignc peace- clothed vs.andy he hath as it were put our mcac ably ouervs, and wee (hall delight tobeevnder into our mouthes. The thing then whereupon his tyranny , as they that are naturally giucn wecmuftfctteour mindes , that wee may well thereunto. But if God call vs to him: then fliili bcthinkevs ofGodsbenefires: isthatthefamc wee fecle the deuill vtterly againft vs, and wee muftfv.'rn:vsforawairantand confirmation of (hall fee the world inflamed with deadly hatred zo our fay th, bothinlyfcand in death. towardes vs. Tobefhorre, there will be fuch Butyetthefimilitudc that Mofesvfeth where a forte of enemies to bidde vs battcU , as wee heediyth.ia a father beareihhii childe: defeructli (hall not knowe on which fide to turnc vs. to be well weyeci . Trucly if there were no more Loin what plight Gods children are. Now then, butthts , that God compareth hinifelfe with a his power rauft bee fayneto maintaine vs, and fleMyfather: itwcrea fingularrecord of iiifi- to fight the batcell: and if he haue done it for nite and incredible loue. What a one is G OD thelewcs, hecmuftbefaine to doe it now for ifhe be taken in his maieftie? Arc wee worthic vs too. to come to him fo familiarly ? Now then feeing Thusyeefeethatthe firft meanes whereby hec taketh vppon him the pcrfbn of a man, God (lieweth himfclfc to be our Sauiour : is that jo and a creature , and lykeneth himfelfe to thein hee armeth vs againft oiu: enemies, or ra- that beare their childrenrthcrein we fee hew he t^er that hee himfclfc is our lliiclde , our humblethhimfclfc.of good wil to accept vs irt ftrong holde(as he nameth himfelfe oftentimes like cafe as if we were his ownc children . And intht rcriptureSj)ourbulwarke ,our captaine, what a token of loue is that ?Nowasforvs, and to bciliort , all that eucr wee bee . Mark wee be nothing woorth: necdes dien niuft wee that for one poynt. acknowledge an ineftiaiable goodnelTe in our Now hercwithal, when God hath foftreng- God, when he putterhoft'lus maieftie, tomake tbenedvs, and giuenvs the vpper hand of all hmifelfelykeaman. aflaultes that could be put vntovs :he muftbec NeuerthelefTcheccontenteth not himfelfe faine to vpholde vsftUl within. For clfeflioulde aq vviththisfimilitudeoncly .as wce,'hallfcehere- . notwebce ableto goe oneftep,andwecfhould afterinthefong.Fortherehe lykenethhimfelf p,uf^,, ,,■ want all that cuer belongethto our faluation. to an Eagle , which ftretchcth out his wingcs And eucn as a young childe (hould dye , if it tocaryhis young ones , andtotrayne them to werenot fuccoured: euen fois it with vs. If a forcintheayre. Seeing that God puttcthhim- little childe be let alone , hee wdl caft him- felteas it were vnder thefliape ofa byrde , to felfeinto the fire or into the water , hee cculde ihewevs the pafsing fatherly care thac he hath nottakeonebitofbreadto fcedc himfelfe with- ofvs : I pray you , ought not wee to bee ra- all, hce muft beborneinarmes, heemuft bee uifhcdwith wonderment , when God ftoopcth fwadlcd, he conlde not dreflchimfelfe.he would fo vnto vs, to make vs percciue the loue that hce ftarue for cold fooner than come to the fire, and jo bearethvs , and thefauour that heemeaneth tobefhort, wee fee that a young babe before towardes vs?[] yes furcly.] For what a maieftie hce come tofome age, is the miferablcft ere- importeththis worde GOD? And what are ature that canbee deuifed: and eucn fo is it thebirdes and vnreafbnable creatates? £No- with vs in refpeft ofour God. Let vs fct as much thing , ] ftorc by our fclues as We lift, as wee fee that men Anflenni!du!licaded,asweJctthebcnefitesflip meetc and expedient for them, whichhe beftoweth vponvs, and digcft them But by the way wee miiftnote,that although not to conceiucthe goodnefl'cof thtni, and to weeinthefe daycs haue nofuch figures astlie take hcede of them? That is the caufe wliyhe lewes had.vndcr Motes ; yet notwithftanding Ictteth them before vs after that falhion. And GODgiuethvsthething tliatis of equall va- wefceallo howourLordlefusfpeakethofhim- ]ue , according alfo as Saint Paule fliewcth, ,_Cor.io. M3t.ij.j7' fclfe, in bewayling the deftruftion of the Citie faying thatthc cloud and the fire were akinde ' of lerufalcm. Howe oft (faieth he) would I haue of Baptifme to the auncient fathers. And the gathered thy httle ones vnder my winges , and chiefe thing thatGOi) meant to ihcwe vnto thou wouldcft not ? There our Lord klusfpea- lo them thereby, wasthat although asin rcfpcft keth not as man : but ll.evveth y inafmuch as he of their body es they were guided with fire by isthecucrlaftingGod, he played the part of a night, and had a cloud fprcd ouer their heades henne towardes the lewes , and had his wingcs by daye : yet Gods meaning was not to haue frtetchcdouc tohauc brooded them : andthat them ftayvponthefe temporal] benefires, but to they on t heir fide played the wy Ide beaftes that Jeade them further. Then were they baptized woulde not bee tamed. When wee fliall once inthedoud. And what haue wee now adaycs? haucknowen the lauourof our God towardes Doeth not Baptifme warrantvs Gods prefencc vs:lctvsbcwaie thatit be notfodelaced aswe more certeinlySc with a greater vertue.than did mayiuf^ly bee accufcdofvnwilhngneiletofuf- tliat auncient figure ? Yesfurely, ifall-thinges fcrourGod togoiierne vs peaceably. What is io bee well confidered. For wee muft not ftay our tobce done then .'Seeing thatourG ODfhew- eyes vpon the water : butforafmuchasy bloud ctiihimfclfcfolouingandkindehcarted,thathe ofourLorde Icfus Chrift was fhed, which is a proteftcth himfelfe to bee as a father towardes fpirituall wafliing vnto vs : therein God flieweth hia little babes, in bearing v/ith our fecblenefle himfelfe more familiarly vntovs now adayes^ and infirmities: and feeing that he faieth by liis than he did to fuch as liued vnder Mofes.Truc *^''^' Prophet Efay, that although all the mothers in it is that wee haue not the like myracles : but in ihev/orld fhould forget then- children,yet would the roeane while, howe excellent was the Ma- not he forget vs: and feeing he ftoopcthfolowe ieftiethat appeared in the perfon of our Lordc as to liken himfelfe to an Eagle andtoaHenne, lefusChrifl? How excellent were the myracles tolhcwethat het.ikcthvs for his chickins and i° that he wrought? To bee fhort , howe highly birdes : letvs lookc that wee yeelde vnto him, ought wee to cfteeme the death and pamon Sclayourfeluesasitwereinhislappe, praying that he fuffered? Agame, haue wee not a paf-j, - . himtobeare vsand to releeue our infirmities, fing excellent recorde of his Godliead in his **^ that we maybe comforted at his hand , as he is r;fing againe from death ? Seeing then that readie to^doe , if wee flee to his mercie for fuc- wee haue the whole firlnelle of Gods Maieftie cour. Thus ye fee what wee haue to doe for the in the perfon of our Lord-lefus Chrift, and that *vell putting ofthisdoftrine in vre. , notinihadowc oncly,but in veryfubllanceas But Mofes addeth yet one point more for Saint Paulcdeclareth to the Coloffiansrlpray q . . thebciter confirming that God hadasit were you were it not too (hamefiill a thankclefnefl'e ' ' '' borne his people in his armcs , faying That a 40 in vs , if weefhouldenotbec throughly rcfol- nighttiniesheaffearedto themai ina fitUrof fyre^ uedthat our God hath vttered himfelfe fuffi- andit dajtimei heeapfcand toihem aiin a Cioud, cientlyvntovs,tocaufc vsto reft wholly vpon Wtc knowc that Gods flu-wing of thefe two vi- him , and to truil in his power) ? Thus ycc Jiblc tokenSjWas to the end thaty people (hould fee wherein we referable the lewesas touching bee affured of his prefence : andthofe tokens the cloud whereof Mofes fpeaketh here, and as were requilite for the leadingofthepeople.For couching the pillar of fire, dfe in the night theyfliould haue be:ie flighted Furthermore , if wee confider well howe with the wilderncire which was vcrie dreadfiill, ourLorde guideth vs : weeihallfinde thatthe as I haue declared alreadie. God therefore did Cloudandthepillaroffireferucdnot the lewes giue them light by night , whereby he fhewed Jo more , than the gouernment that is ftabliflied th It he was continually with them. And bicaufe in the Church at this day , ferueth vs. Where- they were in a hotte and dryeCountrie, he did as that people had the pillar of fire by night, fprcd a cloud ouer them in the day , which fha- and the Cloud by daye : wee muft vnderftand dowed them from y burning of the Sunne. Wee that in To dooing GOD meant not to blelle fcethen that thefe two tokcs of Gods prefence, them for that one time oncly. For 'tvhat had ferued fitly for the eafingof the lewes , and that the lewes bene the better for it , if it had not inallthefe dooings they felthis fatherly good- madcthem toknowethatGodwastheirgouer- nefTe. Againe, the moeotfuch figures they had, nourall theirhfclong ? Now then wee cannot the more were they conuiiSed that GOD had goe one pace , vnlefTe wee heeled by our God gouemedthera, and that he had a continuall 60 and affured of his goodncU'e. For our life is like care of their welfare. And therefore doth Mo- theioumcy that the people of Ifracl made tho- fes make exprefle mention both of the fire and rough the wildemcffe. God therfore futFcrcth vs of th^ cloud , faying that neyther night nor nottowanderinvnceiteintie.knowingnotwhc- day GOD had cuer foifaken them : fo as they ther wee were beft to goe or to ftand ftill. For could notbutknowe that he was with them,and wee haue fuch a declaration of his will, as thathiserace accoropanycdthem, ashel'awe wcc can ncuer ftrayc , except it bee wilfully. ^ ^ ' D3 Who. 42 The8.Sirmon Of IohnCaivin Whofocuer feckech Gods good pleafure,flial be taught by liim. : And therefore now adayes wee haue no need of the vifible pillar of firc,nor of y cloud that was fpred ouer the childre of Ifracl, forfomuch as our Lord fheweth himfelfe to bee at hand with vs by another meane , and ftrct- cheth out his hand continually ouer vs, and the way is wide and open ynough for vs. Now then we haue good caufe to be contented. feeke nothing elfc but to fwallowe vs vp : and therewithall wee fee alfo how weakc and feeble we be to withftand them : and yetfor all that, let vs not doubt but our Lord fighceth for vs,condi- tionally that wee walke on (imply vnder the fha- dowe of his winges,and play not the loofe colts, nc attempt any thing which he alloweth not. And To doing,let vs not doubt but he will deliuer vs,and ftretchouthis handvpon our enemies And folet vs vnderftandjthat Mofes did not 1° to vanquiflie them and dcftroy them , fo as wee onely fpeake to the lewes after all fortes -but al- fo that he hath written thefe thinges for vs, that Wee alfo might be confirmed now adayes in the doftrinc which we haue of God, and notbe dis- obedient vnto him. And feeing wee haue neede tobefuccouredathishand , againft Satan and allouraducrfaries : let vs learne to diftruft our owne ftrength which is none at aD,and acknow- ledging our owne wretchedncfie lei vs refort to Ihall knowe that he hath a continuall care of vs, and that his only de&e is to guide and gouemc vs, and to continue and increafehis graces in vs J and to hauevs alwayes inhis keeping and proteftion. Nowelet vskneele downcintheprcfence'of our good God with acknowledgement of our faultes, praying him to make vs fo to fcele them, that being afliamed of ourfelues,wec may crauc him for aide and heipe at our neede. And when to pardon ofhim, and being defirous to be goucr- we haue once gotten hardinefle tomarchevn- dcr his banner: lervsalfure ourfelues that he will neucr futfer vs to mifcarie , though we be aC- failed with neucr fo many temptations. Wee lee what threatening thereis now adayes , yea euen on all fides : wee fee how our welfarc(as to out- ward feeming)is as a pray to our enemies, which nedbyhisdircflion, feeke nothing but to fub- mit our felues to his yoke more and more, till he haucriddevs quite and cleane of all our flefhly corruptions and imperfeftions , and that we bee come to the full meafurc of his righteouCiefTe, whereuntoitbehoueth vs now to tend. And la let vs al fay,Almightie God hcauenly fathcr,8a:. On Munday the xxij . of Aprill. i ii Vpon Devteronomie. Cap. I. 43 layethvponvs (hould turnetoourprofite, and felfe vnto them, and promifed to bee their Saui- th?.t they ftiould ferue vs for the time to come ,fo our : doe futmil'e that they haue him bound, and asweefhould notlooke to haue him to ftretch thereupon take Icaue todoccuill ; and if a man out his hand againftvs : foritisgood fofvs to ftiewe them their finnesjtheyhardethcmfelucs bee taught at other mens coft as the prouerb agamft it,there is nothing but pi ide in them , & faieth. But wee muft marke, that Mofes rehear- they armc themfclues with Gods name, to tight feth here bnefcly, the things that are declared agamft his Prophets. Andthis hauethcydonc more largely in the fourteenth Chapter of the in all ages. When the Icwes were rebuked for Bookeof Nombcrs, where God is fo wroth with theirwicked life, & for their turning away from ■ the people, that he would haue dcftroyed them lo God : they were inflamed with fuch rage ag.^inft vtterly . He faieth there to MofeSjpaffe not thou the Prophets,as to fay , How nowe ? To whom ierem.7.^; forit:lcangiuetheea greater and excellcnter fpeakcyc ? Are not wee the Church > Arc not people than this : but as for thcfe wicked folke, wee Gods inherit.ince ? Hathhe notfcthis co- thcy muft needes bee rooted out, I cannot fuffer uenantamong vs i Haue not wee the figne of them any more. Hereupon Mofes maketh inter- Circumcifion ? Haue not wee the temple where ceflion for them and faieth : Not fo Lord : for if he is worfhipped ? Wee fee then that the lewes it (hould be heardinEgypt ,that it were fo come did falfely abul'c Gods namc,to aduaunce thcm^ to p afle.thy name (hould be blafphemed , & the felues againft him and his word. And this is re- wicked would make a fcoffing at it , faying : bi- ported of the lewes : but yet wee may fee the caufc God could not performe his promife,ther- 10 like in our fc'ues.For all they to whom God hatli fore hath he flainc thispeople, andfo hath he donefomuch honouras togiuethem his word beguiled them and betrayed them. Lord, wile and to manifeft himfelfe vnto tliem,doe iniagin ihou fuffer thy name to be flaundred after that that they haue him as it were in their (lecuctSc fort ? .Thereupon God tellcth him that he wiU yet for all that, in ftead of profiting themfclues not execute his vengeance vpon any other than by Gods fo gentle alluring of them vnto hiiii, luchas had murmured, & yet notwithftanding they fet themfclues againft all good doLlrine. that he would therewithali rcferue a feede, on they cannot finde in their hcartcs tobeare any whomtoperfourme the thing that he had pro- yoke,they will needes bee as v/ildebeaftcs , and inifed to his fcruant Abraham. yet in the mcane while they will needes haue Bytheway,ythreatethatis conteincdhere, 30 God to auow them to beofhisflocke. But here importeth not that God was not determined in weefee, tHatalthough Godhad asthenfetvp his ownepurpofe what he would doe: forifwec hisfeatamongthelewes, andmadea coucnanc ihould thinkc that he altered his mind vpon the with them to bee their Sauiour vnto the ende : aduertifcmem that Mofes gauc him: it could by yet when he fawe they were not meete to haue no meanes agrce^withhis nature.]] Should a him.butthatthey drewdeanebacke .andccaf- mortallmanhaue more difcretion andforccaft fed notto fpitehim : he. found the meanes to than the liuingGod? No rand on the ^therfide puni^ethem , yea and that in fuch fort , as all wee knowe that God doethinno wife chaunge thofe things went to nought, and yet he hiinfelf his purpofe.Neuerthelefl'e.diucrs times he vtte- abode foothfaft, notwithftanding their dcftruc- reth fomcwhat rough threatnings,to driue vs to 40 tion. And therforc let vs not deceiuc our felues. humble our felues beforehim , and to make vs When God hath once taken vsto him to be of feele what wee haue deferued. God tlien in tel- his houlfiold, and adopted vs to be liis children : ling Mofes that he would vtterly roote out that let vs not footh our felues in our vires.but confi- people, fo as there (hould not one of them bee Jerhowitftadethvson h.ind to waike fo much leftaliue, meant not that he was determined fo the more awefidly, when God hath fhewed him- todoe:but(heweththatthc people wasworthy felfe fo bountiful! towardesvs, and that foraf- to haue bene quite and cleane dcftroyed. And much as he hath vttred his goodnes in fuch wife, in deede there was iuft caufe why , to the intent it is good reafon that wee on our part being Co that euery of them (hould be fmitten downe and much beholden vnto him , ihould looke well a- lubduedonhis owncbehalfe , and that Mofes Jo bout vs andindeuourtogiuc our fL-Iueswholly /hould pray after that mancr. And yet for all tohisferuice,andbefolothtoofFendhi!n,asvvc that, God found the meanes tomakegood his mayalfobeafraidetobcbereftofthcgracethat promife.notwithftanding the wilfiill (Jowardnes he hath once beftowed vpon vs. Markethatfor that was in the people. And this is apointwcU one point. wonhie to be marked among others : that when And therewithal! let vs marke alfo, that God God hath chofen any people,although hisgrace in puniftiing the hypocrites and all fjch as abufc bee defpifedjfo as all they whom he had called the goodnefl'e that he hath done towards them, . become vnworthie of fuch a benefite,and banifh ceaifeth not for all that,to continue faithful! ftil. themfeluesoutof hishoufe byreiefting ypro- Forifhe (hould deftroy the whole world and mifcthatwas offered them : yet will God finde go leaueno afterlpring to call vponhim, itmieht ihemeanestochaftife theminfucliwife, as his beefaid,in deede God hath iuft caufe topiinifh Church IhaU not vtterly perifh , yea and he will men after that maner : but in the meane time cuen ouercomc mens firowardneffe with his where is hispromife ? He h:th faide that his ,. goodneflTcIfayitiswellworthie tobeemarked. Church (hall continue for euer,& that his name "''''• For wee fee that on the one fide, the hypocrites, fliallbee callcdvpon here beneath, aslongas vnder colour chat God hath manifeiicd him- thereiscytherSunneor Mooncinthcfkie:but D 4 now 44 The 8. Sermon Of loHN Calvin nowe is all djfparchcd quite and cleanc , the re- occafion of ftumbling. Againc on the othci (ide» membrancc of faliiation is vtterly buried among we fee how the faithlcife doe fight againll God, men. Although thenthatGodfiiould doe iuftly fecking nothing elfe dayjybutto oucrthrowhis in punifhing fuch as had done amiflc: yet fhould trueth, and to caufe it to be quenched out , that his promife bee vaincandvoidc, ifhcpcrfour- itmightneucrbefpokenoffmorc. Seeingthen med not the thing that he promifed , ani (b that the whole world is fo malicious, and that as would men blame him of vnfaithfulnefle. But well the one fore as the other doc make opca (as I faide) he findeth meancs to punifh them warre againft God, continuing ftiU in their ftub- thatdeferueit , and yet not\vithftanding refer- bornncifc which increafeth from day to day: ueth and keepeth ftiUapeopleto himfelfc , and lo miiftnotGod ( after he hath waited fbrfomc fufferethnothistrueth tofall to the ground, or conuerfion and amendment) execute hisven- to die without efFeft. And hereof we haue a no- geancevppon vsas wee dcferuc ? Ye fee then tabic example in this place. For wee fee that after what manner it behoueth vs to prepare God had made a couenant with Abraham , and our felues , confidcring that wickedncflc is fo had promilcd him to giue the land of Chanaan great nowe adaycs , and fo farre paft hope o£ for an heritage to his offpring. As foone as the recouerie . But yet thercwithall let vs comforc tmiecame.the promife was performed. Yeave- ourfelues, andlookealfo thatinpunifiiing the rily:but all the pofteritie of Abraliam refufcd offenders God will not fayleto kecpeftiU fome and reieftcd the promife , whereby they difa- feed to himfelfe.fo as he wil alwaies haue fomc mJled it as much as lay in them. Thus you fee to little flock to calvpon him and toworlliip him. thcybee depriucd of it through their-owncvn- Let vs not doi..'ind jng . if they poyfon not ihemfclues through a of a trueth we fee dayly,that when Gods threat- certaincwiliulfrowardnefietowithftandeGod, 50 nings are vttered vnto vs,a great m.iny of vs do andto driue backehis grace. Thatisthe caufe but fhake our eares a: them.and the number of why we be cxprefly warned, not to harden our thofc diat are touched with them, is vcriefmal. hcartes .Yea verily: for wee muft not think that Therefore the othe that GOD fwearcthis no Oodwillfuftcr his.gr.ice tobecfofcorned.and more than needeth , euen in refpeft of the dalyedwith,andfetlightby.Ifhewcreinflamed blockiflineflc thatisinmen, forafmuch as they with anger againft the lewes for refuiing fo en- bee fo foolifli as to make but a mocke of cuene lcrintotheLandofChanaan:ifwcnowadayes thing that is tolde them . And hke asGodto doe playe the reftie iades and fall to kicking, let hclpethewcakcncfleofourfaith, vfcthanothc vs not thinke that fuch vnthankefijJneflc /hall when hec confirmeth his promifes : fo on the fcape vnpunifhcd . And in good footh , if the 60 contrarie part , hee vfeth to fweare when hce lewes were fo puniftied at that time, that all the threatneth to punifhevs . And why ? To the Jbrteof diem came to nought, wandering in cnde that being afraide and abaihed at it, wee the v/ilderneffc by the fpace of foitie yeeres : flioulde come to repentance . For if wee bee Godlhewcd yet morehardc and rigorous ven- notmadetoftoope that wee may take holdeof geancc vppon them afterwarde , inthethral- Gods iufticc : our faultes wjU neucr millikc dome of Babylon and other mifcrics thai hap- Cods 45 The 8, Sermon Op John Calvin. Gods iuftice then muft become as a thunder or of a wilflUl frowardnefle: it is as if fire and water lifihtfting,and we muft bee abalhed before him, fhould meete together. that we may no more bee fo drunken in our fins But befides this, wee muft alfo markc Gods as wee were. Andthereforewhenfoeuer Gods vpbtaydingofthepeoplc,with their faying that threatnings do not difmay vs fufficicntly: let vs their yong chiMrcn^ftoulde be a pray to their c- cal to niindc the oth that Mofcsfpeikes of here, nemies. They (faith he) (hnUfofftfc iheUnde^ytz and let vs aifure our felues that it is we whom cuen to the intent that you may beprouedly- ihe fame pointeth at , according to that which crs . Hecre it behoueth vs to marke well , that IhaucalledgedalreadiebothoutofthePfalme, when men will needcs doubt of Gods trueth, and out of the record of the Apoftlc. lO they muft in the endc be foundc lyers.and Gods And therewithal! let vs alio marke well the trueth fliine forth the brighter to their ftianic. words that are fet downe heere by Mofes . 2\Jo»« Nowe hereby wee bee warned to receiue fimplic cfihit curfedand vnkl^d generation (faith hee) [hali the promifes that GOD oftercth vs . And al- fee the goodlandthat 1 haue promifed. Heere GOD though it feemc at the firil blufti that they ihold maketh a comparifon betweene lande and the neuer be accompLlhed , & tliat there be a num- peoplc. Tl^is lande then was a fingular gift, in bcrofimpediments to hinder them:yet muft wc token whereof hee calleth it his reft : meaning doc him the honour to beleeue that he is faith- therebythaihe had chofen that lande to bee as full, and to abide patiently for the conuement a dwelling place and euerlafting inheritance for time of his performance of the tiling that hcc thepeople toreft in vnderhis protedion. For lo hathlaid.Forifwcgainefay his truth, and mur- there is no certaintic in this worlde , and if wee mure, and fall to queftioning and difputing,wich bee lodged in any place.wee may bee put out of howe can this be •• is it poftlble? God feemeth to ournsftagainc todayortomoirowe. ButGod mockevs: Ifay, ifwegothatway toworkc;WeU tolde them that hee hadafllgnedthelande of may hee performe his promifefor allthat:butic Chanaan for air euerlalHng polTefllo to the chil- flialbe to our ftiame, fo as wee (hall alwaycs bee dren of Abraham,to mainteine them and keepc founde lyers.Wee may well triumph for a time, them fafe there , fo as no man flioulde trouble aswefeethevnbelecucrsdoe.whichmilapert- thcm, nor euer driue them out againe . Yce fee ly defpife God,(pewing out their blafphemies a- then thatthelandewasnot a common gift, but gainfthira:butyct in theende God Ihill con- agiftthatdeferiiedtobeeefteemedasmoft ex- jo tinue faithful], and Iris trcwneffe ihalbe knowcn cellent aboue al others . But behold , the peo- fpite of our teeth , and thcrewithall we ftialbec pie on theotherfide, are malicious and froward. put to ftiame . And therefore let vs beware of it. Therefore it is alloneas ifourLorde ihoulde and that wee may beware ofit, let vsraaikc well Tay , I fee wel ynough hwe the worlde goes , I howe the lewes are vpbrayded with it here. Yec fhalJfooner make fire and water to agree, than haue faide that your children (hall bee made a caufe thispeople tolike of my benefits.For in my pray: but they (hall inioy the iand.and you (hal- bencfites there is nothing but meere goodneife, befetbefideit. andin this people there is nothing but raeerc Moreouer the example ofCaleb the fonne of naughtinclic. ,t lephone is veric notable, and ib is alfo the ex- Let vs marke well then, that to inioy Gods ^o ample oflofua the fonne of Nun. Thefetwoare benefitcs , wee muft frame our felues to his will referuedofa great multitude . And why ? Bc- and righteoufnefte : for our naughtinefle and caufe they had gone through ftoutly. For this Gods "oodnsfle can neuer.match together , m- recordc is yeldcd to Caleb , that hee h*dferjifled fomiichthatifwec willnecdesfolloweourowne [or continued] in/oi/iimi«g»/j?£o/-(/<. Whenas nature , God muft needes withdrawe his good- God exempteth here but two men of an infinite nefleawayfrom vs. Trueitis that Godloo- multitude: therein wee fee howe itis a folly to kech not for any worthinelTe at our hands why looke what other men doe. For had Caleb and hee fli lulde doc vs good ; nay rather . hee figh- lofua done fo : what had come ofit ? They had tethdayl/againftourfinnes, and vfcth mercie gone to deftruftion with the reft . But they where as hee might lawfially vfe rigour againft jo fuffered not tbemfclues to bee carycdawayhy vs. But yet for all that, if hee fee that wcconti- that horrible tempeft . When they fawe fo nue in our naughtinelTe, hee can no longer con- ftraungea turning backein the whole people: tinue in doing vsgood.Yec fee then that the do- yet did they confirme themfelues inthepowcr ftrine which we haue to gather vppon this con- of God, and although the people woulde haue fideration: is that there muft bee as it were an ftoned them, ( as is declared in the booke of Nun1.14.10 accorde and melodic betweene God and vs,and numbers , and as llialbe touched againe anon): that when hee impartcth his bencfites vntovs, yet did they their duetic. So then .feeing that wc muft make fuch eftimation of them , as wee God allowcth the conftancic of Caleb and lo- indeuer to (erae and honour him for them , and lua,for that they did ftiut their eves when thev confidcrthathecallithvsto him, toplucke vs 60 fawe tlic people fo cxcefl'mely fet vppon mif backe from our finncs . Ifwecdoefo, the good chicfe, and exhorted them to obey God :let vs thathe hath done vs fliilbc confirmed more & note well that although thingcs be out of order more. Orherwifc, it muft needcs bee that our in the worldc.and we fee ftumbLngUockes to o- naug'.itinelTe (hall cut oft'the courfc of his good- ucrthrowe vs , and vices rage like a waterfloud : nelTc.Wiiy fo;'For(as lhaucfaidalreadic)when yetisitnofufficicntcaufcto differ ourfclucsto GodoftiethmenhisbcncfitSj&theyrefulcthcm bee carycd away , or to make vs foUowc the Vpon Devterokomie, Cap. common traine, for it (hall not abate ourcon- drmnation before God . VVe may well lay, aU iheworldc doth Co: for allthe worldertiallpe- rilli, and thou with it, which Ipcakeft lb in con- tempt of thy God. What a thing is it , that men wil needs abolilli Gods lufticc.and gme no more earevntoliim when they gme thcmfclucs to all naughtineirCj but fliut him vp in heauen, and fufFer him to haue no more autlioritie heerel)e- 4;^ example fliould feme to our inftniaion . For al- though the mcmoriall ofthe righteous be blcf- fed before God ; yet is it declared For our pro- fitc . Therefore let vs not haue fuch a zeale as fhall waxc colde when it commeth to the fol- lowing of God: butktvs determine fully with ourfeluestoholdeout with it , whatfoeucr the diiiell praflifcjor howlbcucr the world fctit fclfe againft vs : like as attliis day wee fee many re(i- neath PWhercto tendcth this ? Andyecfor all j^ ftances, and many occafions .that might make that.wee fee noweadayes that when the igno- rant intende to (hrowde themfelues, thegrea- teftlheeldethatthey haueistoalledge , Howe lb?Ifeethat all thcworldc behaue themfelues contrariwifc. And in the meane fcafon what be- comes of God ? God muft bee fainc to bee thrull vnderfoote, and men mult runne leaping and frisking at their pleafurc. Yea and cuen among ourfclues , if a man tell one or other of their vs Itartaway: but yet for all that.we muft hold on our iourney,not for two or three dayes onelv, but all our hfc long. Let vs goc on therefore.-and when there is any mention of following God: let vs marke that it is to confirme the matter better which I haue declared nlredie;thatis to wir,thac if we followe men , we fliall riiiinc aft ray . For whyrwhat els are the waisof the world but ftrai-, - r L '"S^' '°s5eueryniangaddesinandout,whcn faui:s;(;their3nfwcieis,]Ifeeothcrsareasbad 10 they once turnctlieirbackes vpon God? What asmyfclfe. Wee beare ourfeluesonhande, isco bee done then? Solong aswee lookevo- that our condemning of our neighbours will goe for good payment, and that we Ihal fcape Gods hand by that meane. Therefore letvsthinke continually vpon the example of Caleb and lo- fua.Andforafmuchas GODftieweihthat hee made more account of them though they were but two m all, than of all the other howge mul- titude which were about feuen hundred thou- ong as wee loone vp- pon men , it will bee vnpofllblc for vs to goe right : but wee muftfoUowe God. True it is that when God is fo goodvntovs, as to giuc vs men to accompanie vs , yea and to goe before vs and to reach vs their hande: icis a great helpe , and (as Paul tcllcth vs) wee muft i,ror.4.iir. looke wiftl/ vpon them;and when we haue good & Hcb.i ^^7'. feruantes of God which tcache vs and leade vs randc perfons : forafmuch (fay I) as we fee that 30 with good confcience, we muft marke that , and God giucth fuch fentenceofthem: let vslearnc to fubmit our fclues to him , and to rcgarde no- thing but that which he commaundeth . And though the world runnc gadding here and there in the meane while , let vs followe the way that God hath fliewed vs by his pure word. Moreouer , let vs wcy tins fpeech where it is faide, that Ctdeb held out InfoUo-wing the lorde. For itisnotynoughforvs to beginnc well, but wee fafliion our fclues like to them: and in fb doing wc (hall not followe men : forinfilhioniiig our felues hke to them that follow God, \*'e haue his way for our way. We grounde not our fclues one vpon another , to fay , fhus wdl I doe , for I fee moft men doc it. No : but forafmuch as God cal- kth vs to him, It behoueth vs to go, Yea though there>,wcre no mo but my felfc alone : y et ought 1 to follow my God.But if furthermore he beare muft aUbftickc to God through ftitch, yea euen 40 with me fo farre , astogiueniecompanie: then without any feining or ftarung , and without fainting or giuing ouer in the mids of our way. And in good footh , i t is not for nought that this rccorde is giucn to Caleb . For (as I haue cou- ched heretofore) the people were in fuch an vp - rore, asthey would haue ftoned him and lofua too.Infomuch that if God had not take them a- way , and his glorie appeared vppon the taber- nacle: they had lofte their hues for it. Yet muft I goe to him with fo much die better co- rage : and whatfoeuer come of it , I muft not fwarue from his pure wordc . Thus yec fee why- it is faidc here , that Caleb the fonnc of lephone followed the way ofthe Lord,and therefore was exempted from the common condemnation. Yea andit is faidc that hefollon'edconflantly , that is to fay , he continued throughout to the vtter- moft. And fo wee fee nowc in cft'ecl that all the for all this, they ceafed not to i^oe their duetic p people were condemned, & that onely two were ftill , but cryed out againft the people and rent their clothes . And after that manner ftroue they againft thofe which woiilde notinioy Gods blefling . Wee fee then how there was a mar- ueilous power in Caleb and in lofua.And there- fore we bee warned by their example, not one- ly to enter into the way.but alio so goe forwarde and forward ftil, alluring our fclues that wc can- not holde out to the cnde in feruingGod, but acquit,bccaufe they had giuen glorie viito God. But the circuftancc that is added,namely,/W God [fared not Mofei becaiifeofthepeofle-.mctcs.- fcth yet more the thing that I haue faide . In dcede this cannot be dilpatched all as nowe:but yet muft I ad this point aforeh andc . For if God fp.irednot Mofes, (who notwiihftanding had fuchrecordeas weeknowc),but puniihcd him bccaule hechcldenot out conftandy to the vt by bearing out ofmanyhardc brunts and temp- 60 tcrmoft in re-lfting the leawdnelfe of the tations,[and chcrfore we haue ncede] to ftrcng- then our heartes in fuch wife.as nothing may be able to make vs to fleete. Thus yee fee whereto our Lord and his holy fpirite exhort vs. Where as he praifcth here the conftancic of Caleb and lofua: it is co the cnd(f3y I)that their people: I pray you what ih.ill become of vs ? Is it likelie that wee fhall goc fcotfree nowa- dayesjwhen eueric man futfcrcth himfelfe to be caried away becaufe hee fectli diat naughci- ncfle hath the vppcr hande ? Then if wee hap- pen CO ouerlhoote our fclues fo , thinks wee that 48 The 9. Sermon that God win let vs alone ? No no : Foriffuch punifhment as we hcarc of , was extended vpon Mofes : necdes imift wee feele farre forer, when we intangle our lelucs in the common vices.and forfake Godtofollowc theworlde . And letvs NmD,i4-}4« marke well , that in fwearing that the people lliould not enter into the lande: he fayth, ye {hal recken the yeres according to die nomber of the dayes wherein ye fpied out the land. Theyth^ were fcnt to fpy out the lande taried forty daies : and fo behoued it the people to wander vp and downe by the fpace of forue yeares . And fo wc fee that when God hathvfed long patience to- wardesvs, hemakethvs to pay veriedeerefor our abufing of his goodneflc. Wherefore let vs not meafure Gods punilliments after our owne fancie:for they be forer than our wirtes can con- ceaue . Butwhenfoeuer he threatnethvs, letvs tremble at his only fpeech, and make haft to fol- low it. And forafmuchashisfpcechisdirefted to vs nowadaics ,let vs not driUe oft'til to morow, but let vs follow, and let euerie man be going on his way . Againe forafmuch as we be trade and haue a rough and thornie way to goe , yea and there be many iioppes to barrevs , foas it will fceme that there be great mountaines to make vs turnebacke againe r let vs pray our God to giue vs ftrength to go on ftd forward . For if he fhengthcncd Caleb and lofua : let vs aflure our felues he will do tlie like to vs. And thercwithall if we fee that the world hinder vs, and that tliere Of Iohn Calvin is ftore of ftumblingblockes on all fides : let vs pray God that he lufFervsnot to be coruipted withotliers, butthatwc maybearchimthc ho- nor to ftick ynto hira,& to ycld our felues whol- ly to his word, giuing them leaue to periflie that needeswillpcnfli, and in themcane whde flay- ing our felues by the promife ot faluation which he hath giucn vs,accordinglv alio as it is his will that wee llioulde attaine thereto by any fuch JO knowledge. Now let vs kneel • down in the prcfence of our good God with acknowledgement of our faults, praying him to touch vs better than we haue bin: & that aboue al things we may bethinkc vs of the vnthankefulnefle whereof wc be giltic, in that we haue not obeyed his word, nor bin fo willing to followe the things that he hath declared vnto vs as was rccjuifite. And therefore let vs befeecb him.not only to forgiue vs our faults paft.butalfo ,0 toftrcngthen & gouernevs in fuch wife by his holiefpiritCias wee may oucr come althe temp- tations of Satan, and forfake all the luftes of our owne fle(h,to the end we may obey the voyce of our God, and in fuchfct applieall ourfenfes thereunto, as wcmay palVc through all the di- ftrefles of this prefent world , vntiU he haue ga- thered vs togithcr into his euerlafting kingdom. , That it may pleafe liim to graunt this grace.not only to vs, butallbtoallpcoplc&nationsofthe 30 earth, &c. On Tewfday the xxiij . of April. 1555. The ninth Sermon vpon thefirH pjapter. 37,38.39.40. AlfotheLord&c. 41 Then anfwercd you and laide vnto me : We haue finned againfl the Lordc. We will <^oe vp and fight as the Lorde our God hath commaunded vs. And you armed your felues euery one with harncfTe of warre,and were rcadie to goe vp in- to the hill. 42 And the Lord faid vnto mc, warne them that they goe not vp,ne fight not, for I am not among you: leafi: you be vanquifbed of your enimies. E began yeftcrday to feehowc hard it is to abftaine from fin- [ nihgwhenamanis in euilcom panic, fpecially if hee haue the charge of gouemment.Forfec- J ing it was Mofes hap to be fha- ken downe : Howe (hall they do which are farre weaker than he was ? Wee knowe that God had made him to excell all men , wc fee alfo ho\v he ferued his turnc by him,& what record hee hadi giuen of him . And yet for all that , behold here a fal which Godmiflykethoffo greatly, that he difappointedi him of entring into the. lande for it: and fuch diftionour and reproch was done vnto him , that hee might not polfcfle die inhe- ritance tliat had beene promifcd , as well to him as to all die people. Therefore we had neede to cajl vpon God when we be mingled widi fuch as are able to corrupt vs and to thruft vs out of the JO way, ft) as we be hemmed iorounde about with euill examples . But yet they which haue the charge of goucrnement, ought to ftandc in grea- ter feare and drcade, and to call vpponGodto ftrengthen diem , and to giue them fuch con- ftancie as they may not i'warue any whit at all. But before we goe any ftirdier , we muft mark that where as Mofes reportcth that God was angric with him for the peoples fakes : hee doth it not to excufc himfelfe that he had not done a- 60 mifl'e: for then (hould he replie againft God who had giuen fentence vpon him. In the twentith NuiB.20.11i, Chapter of thebooke of Numbers it is fayde cx- prefly, thou flialt not enter into the lande, be- caufe that thou and Aaron haue not glorified the Lordbefore the people of Ifracl . So then we fee that God chargech not Moles with thefinne of the Vpon Devteronomie. Cap. I. 49 the poeple , as who (Tiouldc fay chat he himfclte highly efteemcd among men , (hall be abhomi" had becne gJtlcHc : but his meaning xs that hcc nable before God. When we hauc fifted a thine fell not to cuiU of his owne accorde and mouing, ncuer fo well , and fetled all our wittes to vtter but was driuen to it as by a ftorme, when he law it well : yetihall it fceme to vs clcane contraris fuch vprore and hurlyburly among the people, to that it is indeede , Nowc then , kt vs caft that he was at his wits cndc and wift not what downe our eves and acknowledge thatnone but to doe, by meanes whereof he had not a prefent onely God is the competent ludge. faith to giue glorie vnto God.Thc intent of Mo- True itis that wee hauc the lawc , whereby fes then is not to wafh his hands , as though hec wee may afliiredly fay , tliis is good and that is were not blame woorthy at all : but to doe the lo cuill: and our yeelding vnto that which is fhew- pcople to vnderftande that the vcrie mifchiefe ed vs there . is not to make vs ludges : for wee Iprang of them. Neuerthclcs it may be thought take no authontie to our fclues, but onely ycldc ftraungc howe Mofes llioulde oftendc, feemgit toy things that God fetteth forth. And befides appcareth not in all the rehcrfall of the ftorie. It this , wee niuft not onely ludge our neighbours Numb io.» is laide that the people grudged agauiftGod.be- doingsby thelawe, but alfo examine our owne caufe they wanted drmke m tlie wilderneffe, Lues by it. And when wee finde our fclues to faying : Had it not beenc better for vs that God haue fw arued from Gods commaunderacntes, had killed vsm Egypt i Muft heeneedes bring we muft willingly condtmne our fclues, and al- vs into this drie and barren place, that we might lowe no further of our owne doings, than they dieheereforihirft? Itappeareth wellthathee jq agreewithGodswill.Althoughth;y fceme good haceth vs , and thathis mteiit is to make vs to to our felucs , yetlet vs not ftande vppon that, linger heerc mtormentes : and in the meane For our eyes are fo troubled and weake, that of- while wee bee paft all hope of doing well . After tentimcs one finnc efcapeth vs and a hundred this manner did the people murmure . On the followcoutafterit.-andchatisbecaufewebenoc contrarie part Mofes weepeth and reforteth vn- fharpefighted ynough , to fpie out the thinges toGod, faying: AlasLorde , oughteftthou to thatGod perceiueth , and which are hid firom hauefolle'derarewardforthydeliueringofthis vs. Andthatis the caufewhy faint Paul faieth, ,.Cor.4.4. people through thme owne goodnes, as to hauc that although he had walked purely in his office: thy holy name blalphemed by them J What yctwashenotiuftifiedforallthat. ForGodre- coulde Mofes hauc done better than this ? For 30 quireth another manner of perfedion than wee heisfofarreoftfrom confenung to the wicked- canfee.Sothen .feeing wee haue fo weake and neife of the people , to bee any companion with dimme a %ht,let vs learne to refcrre our felues them : that hee weepeth to fee the otFence com- ynto God : and let c uerie of vs put that thing in ffal 6g i» mittedagainftGod. AndUauidhkewifefliew- vreinhimfelfe. which is (hewed vs by Dauid pfji ,» ,, ' '• • cth an excellent and wonderEiIl weldilpofed whenhefaith.Whoishetliatknowethhisfalts? mmdc . m laymg that hee wore fackloth for Lordfbrgiue me the euillwhichi perceiuc not. their lakes that blafphemed God. Mofes did as We muft not onely ask God forgiueneffe of the much . It (houldc not feemc tlien that there is finnes that fting vs.and.whereof we haue proofe any fauk in all this. For God commaupded him jn our fejucsibut we muft alfo acknowledge that « totakclusftartc.andtoftrikevpona rocke,and ^^ we hauc manic finnes which wee knowenotof. to make water to come out of it before the peo- Marke that for one point, pie. Hee obeyed. Wee fee not there any reply- Furthermorc,proceedingfti]l herewith, let vs ingatal.-nay wcfeenot that Mofes did fo much notbehaftieiniudging, to acquiteone and to asoncedoubt. Moreouer when hee fpeaketh <:ondemneanothcr:butletvs refe rue vnto God Num.Jo.to to the people, hee faith: Come on yec rcbelles. that Which is his.for as I haue faid afore, if God * muft God bee faine to make water to come out -hadnotpronounced that, fentence vppon Mo- of this rocke , which you fee nowe lo hardc and fe5,euery man would canonize him,and fay hee drie? Yec fee hee tebuketh the people Iharpely, did the beft that coulde be dcuifed.But what for and a man wouldc thinke hee coulde not glori- that? Seeing hee is condemned by the heauenly fie God better. And yet for all this , it is faidc ^q iudge.wemuft bridle our felues.and not fall to vnto him , Thou haft not giuen vnto mee the incountcring againft God . For wee /hall v/inne honour that belonged to mee , and therefore nothing by it.And for the fame caufe aFo S.Paul Rom.14.10.' thou fhalt bee banifticd out ofthclande that be- intending to exhort vsco modeftie in the 14.10 longed by inheritance vnto thee. And did hec the Romanes, aUcdgeth that wee muft all come finnc then? As I faide afore, ifweiudge after our before the ludgement fcatc ofourLorde lefus ownefascie, it will feeme to vs that Mofes dif- Chrift.where we ftiall not allowe what we thinke charged himfelfe wellm all pointcs, fo as hee of- good,nor reieft what we miflike in our own fan- fended not, ne had any (pot or blemilh m him. cie : for that authoritie belongeth to the onely Butwhatforthat ? Heereby wee fee thacitbe- fbnofGod.Sceingitisfomy brethren(faithhe) . longethonelyvntoGodtoiudge, and that wee 60 wee muft abftcine from fooli/h ouerweening. tnay bee decciued at allcumes , in following Thus much concerning that which is reported our owne witte and rcafon . Wherefore let of the finne of Mofes. vskcepethisrulc wliichisveriencedefull: that Nowe let vs come againe to the matter that is to wit , that wee beefarrevnable to difcerne vvee were in hande with: Which is, that Mofes good and euill alwayes by eye fishtjfor as is faid meaneth not to excufe himfelfe : he feeketh no tuke.itf.5. in tiij fixteentli of S aint Luke . tnc thing that is ftartinghole to Icflen his fault:but the thing tha t E he JO The 9. Sermon Of Iohn Calvin healledgctKisrtafonablc,hefctcethfoorththc Itwasaverichardc and bitter punifliment vn- heynoufncffe of the peoples offence , Ihcwing to Mofcs , to bee banilhcd out of the lande that i their fedition was fo forcible, that eucn he him had becne promifed him. felfealfo was ouerthrowen with it.Thc meaning The time is come that the people Ihouldc thenofMofcswasasifhefhouldhauefaidthus: bee deliucrcd out of the thraldomcof Egyptc, Beholdcycc wretches, God hath chofen me to to bee conueycd into the Lande of promife: fiipply his place among you, and he hath goucr- Mofes is choicn to bee their guide, fo as hcc nedmeinfuchwifeby hisholyfpirit.thatlhaue fupplycthGods office in deliuenng them: and had as It were his image prmtedmme:& yctnot yet notwithftandmg this {liamc is done vnto withftanding I haue doncamiirc,! haueoffen- 10 him , that GOD ihutteth the gappc againft tied. And what IS the caufe of It.' I cxcufenotmy himandfaicth,thoullialtnot come there. Yec felfe: but yet are you giltie before God, of cor- fee then howe Mofes is ( as yec woulde fay^ ruptineme.yourmurmuringhathouerthrowen bronded with a morke of rcproch- before Gocl. me, for byre afon thereof I haue forgotten my Nowchad hcctakenitindcfpyte:it hadbeenc duetie , and not yeclded God fuch gloric as was ynough to haue plunged him into fome blafphe- due vnto him. Seeing it is fo: £ I may well fay] it mie . But hce bare this correftion patiently, is not long ofyou, that you bereft mee not ot all knowing that icAoulde bee to his bcnefite, be- the grace that 1 had receiued at Gods hande:for caufe it was but tempor all. And therefore let vs where as he made me your headc to guide you: marke this faying of Saint Paul, that Gods pu- ^ ,. you haue done ynough to carie mec away to 10 ni(hingofvsis to the intent we ihoiddc not pe- Satan through your naughtincfle and rcbelli- riili with the worlde . Seeing then that GOD on. procureth our welfare thereby , and his morti- Nowe then acknowledge the finne that you fying of vs for a time as in refped of the flcflie : haue committed,for God hath brought me low, and his condemning ofvs in fuch wife as we bee anditishiswilltofheweyouinmy pcrfon , that a/hamed afore men , is to the intent that our ,.Cor.5.J. you bee well woithic to pcrifh eucriechone of fouks fhould be laucd at the latter day, and wee you. Therefore befides the thing that! haue liuc in his prefence: feeing thnt that is tlie end & touched alreadie , ( which is , that we muft not buttc tliat he fliootcth at : let not vs on our part like y better of our felues whe our faults are vn- be fo hcadftrong, as to chafe or fume at his cor- knowcnl^toourfeluesj^orwhenwecancouer 50 rcftions, but rather follow the example of Mo- thcm,forGodseicsarenotbhndfoldedforaly, fes , who ( as wee fee ) did make no wordes a- and the thinges that fcape men are inrolled be- gainft God . It might feeme hec had fome oc- fore him ) : wee muft mar ke morcouer, that if cafion to fiy , howc falles tliis out , that I am wee giuc anic man an occafion [ of ftumblingor driuen out of the lande of promife r What (hall offending], although hee on his parte isnoc amanfay toit? For thou haft ordeyned meeto thereby difcharged , yet muft our oftencc needs be as a redeemer in thy fteedc: and nowe muft I be the more grieuous and hcauie , according as carie hcerc ftilLit was thy will tha 1 1 ftiould feme it is in very dcede. Wherefore let cuery man fo in this office , to put the people iri pofleffion of bchaue himfelfe,as hee giue not his neighbours the promifed lande : and why ftiall I not be par- any occafion of ftumblmg . For if any man -q taker of the benefitc that thou haft purchafcd finne vnder pretence of mee, if hec be millcled them by my hande > What though there haue by my Icwdeconuerfation, if he take ill example bcenefomc little diftruft in mee, which conti- by my vices:all the whole mifchiefe llialbe laidc nued not the turning of a hande } Is the offence in my nccke before God, I (halbe difcharged, wo fo heynous , that I muft bee fo gricuoufly puni- M t lis St ftislbe vnto mee as faith our Lord lefus Chrift, flied for that ? Mofes then might haue hcldc Mark-oi^i. andit were better for mee that I were caft into fuch plea with God: but hec hoi Jcth his peace, JcLuk.i?.* themiddesoftliefcawitha milftone aboutmy and yceldeth to the fentcncc of condemnation necke, than to haue giuenmy neighbour any willingly. Therefore let vsfollowe that which is caufe of milbehauiour. And therefore let vs liue fhcwed vs here by cxample;and(as I faid afore) in fuch forte, as it may not bee caft in our teeth yo when G OD is fogratious to vs, that in fteedc before GOD, that wee haue bcenc the ofcaftingofvs away (as he might iuftlydoe)he caufe of other mens ruino and deftrnftion. dothnomorcbut chaftifcvsasin refpcftotthc Por it will coft vs very deare , if the fillie foules flclli, and (hame vs before men , to the cnde to whom God hath created after his owne image, bring vs to repentance, and to humble vs: let vs andwhom lefus Chrift hath fodcerelyredce- bee quiet, and let it not caft vs into forrowe.but nied.bcloft through our fault and wickedneffe. let vs plucke vp a good heart to follow ^r voca- Thus we fee in erfcft what we haue to note vpon tion.This is the thing wee haue to remember, this fentence.where Mofes faith, that GOD For if hee fpared not Mofes, what will he doc to was angricwith him by meancs of the pco- vs? Ought wee to chalenge greater priuiledgc pie. tfo than he? And furthermore we haue to mark here, that But hecrewithall let vs marke, that Mofcs Gods laying of his temporall chaftifcmentes ceafed not to bee an hcire ftill of the heaucnly vppon his faithfull ones , is not to driue them kingdomc , though hee were bereft of theout- to defpayre, but to humble them for a time: wardefigneofit. And thereby wee be w.irncd, for in the endc all turncth to their bencfite,and that it God make vs not to fecle his tauour and therefore they muA not bcc out of heart for it. louc in this worlde fo fully as wee woulde wifli. VpoN DeVTERONOMIE. CAP.fi ^x it mud not make vs to bee out of patience. For fice , it was well fccnc that hee was a newe crea- itmayh.ippcthatwelliall takeourfclues tobec ture, and there appeared in him a maieftiefur- miferable, yea and chat when wee lookevppon mounting-the nature of man: and there withall ourownefi:ate, wclhalldecmcitliadbirjmuch although heehad done fo many deedes 4!^y CoIoIT • better for vs to haue gone allray with the world: ofmemoue, as might aftonilhe all thctnthat o ° •• J- 5> gut what for that?Of al ytmic we haue a life that heardc fpcaking of them : yet notwithftandine, lyeth hid in God. Therefore it is no hurt at all to in the cnde God ordcyned his feruant in ftcedc* vs, though God cut otFchc blcffings of this pre- to leade the people into thelande of Chanaan' fenc life from vs. For he knowe th to what end he and to put them in polleflion of their promifedi doech it : and it is good for vs to be fo exercifed. j^ heritage , and Mofes hunfclfc is not worthy to Thus yce fee that the thing which wee haue to come thcre.So far otfis hee from comin^ there bearemminde, is that Goddoethdiucrstmies euen as a common member (hutfclcd in among hide the fignes of his loue from vs , as in rcfpcft the reft of the body: that God driuech him from of the worlde : but hee loueth vs neuer a whit it : and behold, God reacheth his hand to lofua j the kfle,as we fee how it happened vnto Mofes. who had ncuer looked for it. As touching that which is faide of lofua : it is Butnowbcfides that which I haue faid, (that one notable point more . For beholdcjhce is ap- is to wit , that we be warned to forbearc all prc- pointed to fucceede in Mofes loome , yea, and fumption,and to lay downe all pride): let vs bee yet was he but his fcruaunt. And aftenvard Mo- wel alfured.that it bclongeth to God to aduance fcs is commaundcd to incouragc him. Hcere we to vs & to make vs of eftimanon^through his mere fee that God will take thethinges that arc not grace: and that when we flial haue heaped vpal greatly cileemed among men , yea andexalt that euer we can together,all is nothing. Then, them aboue our opinion , as we fee he hath vfed befides that we haue a good warning to humble to doe at all tmies : and not without caa'e: for oiu- felues: it is {hewed vstherewithall, that wee thereby he intendeth to pull downe all pride ac- muftnotcnuiethofebywhoniGod ferueth his cording to this faying of Saint Paul , that hee tuine. And that is another good leflon.Forwee ».Cbr.i.j7. ^-^oofschtheweakethingeSjyeaeuentotheend fechoweeucry ofvs repyneth,when God hath ay. that men fhoulde not glorie in their ownc aduanced any man,fpecially bcyonde all world- ffcrength : and hee choofeth the foohlTi thinges,. ly hope. Where as we fhould confider thus, be- to the cnde that men fhoulde not glorie in their Jo holdeGodferuethhiscurnebyfuchaone, cue- wifedome : and when he takethy things that are tie man commendeth him , and there appcarc, defpifed.it istotheendethatmcnflioulde not ni anifeft gifts ofgrace in him: when we fee thofe truft m their owne credit,nor bee puffed vp with things,we be fo malicious,that we grudge & re- theirowneworthineiFcAndit isvcrieiequifite pine at it. But contrariwife wee ought to marke, that it fhoulde be fo: for we fee howe euery man that when we be Co pricked with (pice and enuie, feekes to aduaunce himfelfe, and wee leaue no- it is an aduancing of our felues againft God and thing to God as neere as we can. Nay rather if not againft mottall creatures. Therefore let vs weedoebucyeeldehim the tytles thaebclong leamftohonourGodwheiefocucrheefticweth vnto him, it IS but in way ofdaLiance: and in the himfclf,& to be gladwhenhe vouchfafethco cx- Bieane while we would that all ftioulde be in our 40 tend his grace to our neighbours: for if we dofo, own perfons. Nowforafmuch as men haue this all fliall fall out to our welfare . If anotherm.an pride rooted in thcm:God muft be fain to /hew haue mo gracious gifts tha 1:1 am rich m his per- them by experience , that all of it is but vanitie : fon.For whe we confcfley communion of faints: and fo doth hcc.by choofing the thing; that are it is to fheWjthat whatfoeuer God giuet h to one not regarded, and by feruing his turne with fuch riianortoanother,thefameredoundethto the as .ire not cftccmed to be of any great renowne. benefite of all. True it is that we percciue it not If wc lookc howe God choofeth men fomtimes, at the firft pufti:but yet doth fuch diuerfitic ferue tofetEheminprehemincncc:weewillfay,who for the whole bodie of the Church. Themem. Rom. 11.4, woulde haue looked tor this ? And God worketh bets of a bodie haue not all one operation : the after that manner, to the intent that thofe by yo eyes execute not the otKceoftheleggeSjnor the whomheferuethhis turne , fhoulde learne to hands the office of the feete : and yet notwith- acknowlcdgc themfelues beholden to him for ftanding the body is lb knit together in one.that their dignitic wherein he hath fct them.and vn- whatfoeuer is giucn to any one member, doe th derftande that they obteincdit not by their own benefite al the reft.Now then let vs vnderftand, powerandpohcie,butthatitis Godwhichhath thatwhenGod beftoweth the gifts of his holic placed them in that degice. For if they thinfce fpirit more largely vponfome one man than vp- thcy haue ought of their owne purchafing: God on othcrs.he cealeth not therefore to haue pitie will fhewe them the contrarie .That then is the vponvs:Forwealfoniuftbeedifiedtherby.Yea thing wliich we haue to marke, when it is heere furely,ro wc be not vnthankfijll.and that wc take declared thatGod preferred lofua before Mo- 60 nopritchatitwhcnhecliftcth to holdcvslowc fcs infomuch that althougli Mofes had now and to exalt our neighbours. To bee ftiorr,wee of long time beene cladde with the grace of make warre againft God when we cannot abide the holy Ghoft : although hee had beene thathefhouldekcepe theordcrwhich hechath chofen to bee the Redeemer £ or Ranfommer] determined:y is to wit.to pul down v things that of the people ; although God had fet his marks aregreatto the worldward.andtoaduanceand I Vppon him : although that in executing his of- exalt the things that are bafc and defpifed. E & More- Wi Th6 9. Sermok Of ToHN Calvin. Morcouer we fee that Mofcs is commaunded turc , chat euen in minding to doe good we doS to ftrcngthenlofua. So little ought Mcfes to be euUl, andofrlndeGod.&ouerfliooteourleluc? greeue J at the preferring of his feruaunt before without reafon or meafure. Hecre is then a faire himfelfe, that hee muft inilruft iiiin and barren lookingglalle for vs to difcerne our owne vices him.Asifheclhouldefay.lfeenowe it is Gods by:yeavcnly, fo wee confiderintheperfonof will to honour thee by difliononngmee. I am y Iewes,that not only they therafclues are con- worthieofit,andImuftbefainetobeareit,and- dcmncd, but alfo that God piu-polethtogiuca therewithall alfo to prepare thee to thine office. generall Icflon , whereby all men may fare the Although thou take my place: yetwilllnotfet better. Noweltolde you firftofall, that when my felfeagainft thee, but (which mote is) I\vill lo Godfoundeth his trumpet andcommaundeth help; thee to the vtcermoi): of my power. Nowc vs to march.we ftirnot a whit:and that although am I become thy feruaunt . Whereas God had wee haue fomc good liking of the matter , yee erft aduaunccdm:e : Imuftnowegiucvp this webee(ocoldeandflowe,asisp:cietofee. And prehemincnce , and thou muft take my roonie : on the contiarie part, that if hee fay, Tary ftill, and I muft indeuer as much as I can , that the wee bee luftie , and moreouer lo hot and haftie, benefite which Gods will is to beft:ow vpon thee, that wee defire notliing but to occupic boih our mayauayleinthce. Sothen.ifitpIeafeGod to armes& our legs too .When it was faidctothe takeany man toferue him , letvsftreyneour people.Go, foryourGodisamongyou.beeiioc felues tohclpehim, andlctvsnotbecalhamed afraide fo long as yee haue fuch a power code- to put oui- flioulders vnder him to heaue him 20 fi^nde you: The people replyed againe on the o- vp.Let vs not haue any of thefe wicked refpeds, ther fide . nay mane , howe Ihall wee goe vp ? to fay, O ho , cruely as for mce , if God were fo They bee Gyants , they wil deuour vs with their gratious to mes as to aduancemeaswelasfuch lookes , wee Ihalbe vndone at thefirftchop , ic a one , I woulde beftirre mee. But forafmuch as were better yet to returne into Egypt . When heeholdethmeeduwneto thegrounde , Iwill the people had replyed fo, and it was toldc them not meddle with other men . Let vs beware of agame , What meane 5 ou thus to diftruft: your fuch churlilhncffe. Nay ratlier when we fee that God > He hai3i giucn vs this lande.wee haue his God hath chofen a man: [let vs reafon thus pr'omife of it: and befides that, you haue had With our felues.^ I fee that God hath chofen fuch proofe of his helpe alreadie many waycs,aiid he aman,indeedeheeisnottheableftthatcoulde 30 ofterethityouftill: howe thinke youofit, yon . bee deuifed , but yet is it Gods will to bee ferued faithleflc and rebellious people ? When the peo- by iiim , and wee fee hee hath a good will : pie were thus laide at: did they yet returne to therefore let vs helpe liim, let cuerie of vs reach their right wits ? Yea , for yee fee they repented, him his hande , and let eueric of vs confidcr Whacforthat? It is but a falfe repentance. Goe wherin hee may fuccour him to his furtherance. to (fay they ) fith it is fo , we will goe and march Yee fee then that the thing which wee haue to againll ourenemies,feeingitisGods pleafure. marke heere, is that altliough our working beare Nay, yee fee heere, that God ment to trie their no ereac outwarde Ihewe , and that the thinges faith and obedience another way, that is to wit, which we doe haue no great gloffe to commend by their forbearing to doe any tlung ataU. Bc- tlieLntotheworldc:ycc weerauftnot therefore .q caufe hee fawe they had not obeyed him at the ccafc to feme God according to our power, and firft : nowc he will haue them afhamed of it.and tolinkeinwich tliofe by whom it is Gods will to totariehislcifuretill hee haue pitie of them, bee ferued , and not to imagine any thing that And forafmuch as hee had fv/orne that the/ may foreflowe vs , or makevs fay, At whofe flioulde not come there : his will was that they whofe hande fliall I bee recompenfed .- That flioulde (after the example of Mofes ) haue fuf- which I haue done is as good as loft, men make fered themfelues to bee bereft of that honour as none account of It. It IhaH well ynough comein they were worthie . Wee feethen thatmcn account before God. And therefore let it fuffife haue but too gceatc frowardneflc when GOD vs to be allowed at his hand. Thefe are y things commaundech them to fit at reft : and contrari- that we haue to note vpon this , that Mc^es was jq ^'^^ that they bee but too colde.when he would commaunded to ftrengthen lofua. haue them to goe forwarde; nay they wdl rather Nowe finally it is faide , that the people per- crecpe into cranies , than goe forth when God ceiuingtheir finne , anfwcred: TVeehimeoffin- biddeth them. ded theLorde , and therefore wee beenove readier Howbcit/or the better vnderftanding of this goe vp. And th^y not onely vfed thofc wordes: matter,let vs marke that this people offended ir» iiit alfo euerie manpreparedandarmedhimfelfe, and pre acing forwarde without promife . For as I fothe)i went vp to encounter with their enemies. haue faide afore, we muft not be hardic any fur- Heere wee fee the nature of men. When GOD ther than God biddetli vs. Therefore when wee biddeth them be ftil,they be too too forward, & haue but a wordc ofhis mouth, we muft take co- tlicy be as hot as fire to doe the thing that is for- 60 "ge, and put all Icttes vnder foote that may biddenthem. But when they were bidden goe, turnevsaway. For the thing wherein GOD then their leggcs were broken. And yet not- will bee glorified, is that hee commaiinde vs withftanding It IS faide, that the people acknow- notliing in vaine . And fpeciallie when hee Jedged their finne, when they hadbeenefodiC promifeth vs good fucccfle to our raatters.and obedient igainftG O D. Whereby icappea- to profper our doings: then muft we reft thervp- rcth that there is fuch a corruptncfleinourna- on , aflliring our felues cliat hee will giuc vs good VpoN Devteronomie, Gap. I, 53 gooddifpatch. Neuerthelen'e when God had fworne , that the people (hoiild not come there: then woulds th'-V ncedcs goe vp againft their enemies, not conlidering that in lo doing they refiftedGOD, and aduaunced themfclucs a- gainft him. True it is that if a man had asked iherojwhether tliey minded to refill God or no, and to doe deanc concraric to his will , or whe- ther they minded tohauc him to bee their ad- fiill of fooliflie felfewcening , and as it were drunkennelle , by prcfumir.g vppon our owne power: all the braiicric that wee can make, is butwindeand fmoke,bicaijfewee haue notan cyevntoGod, but are rebellious againft: him. Wherefore let vs learnetoleaue the arming of ourfelues, andtofcekcftrcngthand courage at Gods hand,and then let vs take armour & wea- pon as at his appointment. If wc go that way to uerfarie : they woulde haue aunfwcred ,No: lo worke,God will profper the helpes thathehath Wee belseiie that God will helpe vs. For why ? Heehath dcliucred vs out of Egypt, he hath promifcd our father Abraham to giue this lande in poffeffion to his linage , and the time is ncwccomc. Yeabutthcreis no promifcf^to you, 3 and therefore it is but fonde prefump- tion or rather (larke madneffc , when men takca toyein theirhcades , andaduenture to docthisorthat, whenintheraeane whilcGod hath not promiled any fuch tiling. So then io fiirthervponthis text giuen vs : for he will blcfic thc.bicaufe wefought them at his hand. Befides this , he himfclfe w lU ftandby vs though all other meanes failevs.For diucrs times he will perchauncc fuffcrvstobee made naked,and let v v/orld mock vs, as though wewercvndoneaforehand:butyetwi]lhepro- uidc wd ynough for all, at Icaftwilc fo that afore ail things wee be furniflicd with his inward vcr- tue. This is tlie thing that wc had to m.irke, yet let vs marke well , that weemuftnot be boldc vppon our owne hcade, but hearken till God Ipcake : and when wee haue his promife,wee niuft rule our felues thereby , and not pafle theboundes tliereof. For elfeit may happen vnto vs , as Mofes reporteth here that it hap- pened to this people: that is to witte that wee ihalldoe allthinges arfiuerfie.and fo ofFendc God. Info much that when wee weencto doc And here Mofcs fheweth that God ment not todeftroy the people, when hecommaunded them to turnc backe. Turneye backf ageine faieth he. Here wee fee Gods wondcrfullgoodnefre,& that the threate which he fpake offyeftcrday, was not to the end that God woulde purfue the iniquitie of the people wittiout hauing any pitie vponthem : but to make them fecle their owne cuill. For notwithftanding all that, yet doeth he well, wee flialldubble our faultes: when G OD 30 vlecompaflionandkindnclTctowardesthemjin commaundeth vs to go,wec fiiall bee as though ourlegges were broken: and when he comman- 4ieth vs to taric,wc fliall run too (wift: and fb, all our whole Lfc /hall be out of order. " Furthermore let vs beare inminde, that (aslhauefayde alreadie) if GOD hfttocha- ilicevsasinrcrpcft of the flefiie,wemuftnot bee too much grieucd thereat : for it is for our benefitc and v/elfare . If this people had beene forbidding them to incounter with their ene- mies. For although that at the firftfightaraan would fay that God reieftedthcm, andcurfed them : yet notwithftanding,in fo dooing he ihe- weth them a figne of his mercie. For had he faid ncuer a worde , what a thing had y bin?In decde the people increafcd their offence yet more, by being difobedient tcf the warning that he gau^hem. But whatfoeucrthey did, wee mult well aduifcd , they woulde haue thought thus: 40 confidcr what God intended when he faide, Go« bicaufc wee haue offended God by our difobe- dicncCjheewill not haue vs to enter into the land: but yer for all that he bcreauethvs not of thehopcoffduation, let vs content our felues with that, and wander foorth in thisworlde till he take vs hence. So likcwifc letvs Icarne to wander on , if wee mindc to come to the hea- Menlyhfe. And if God doe noweand then caft •vsdowne, Ictvsconfidcr that y carting downe, not vp:for 1 tf ill not bee veithyou , neither wili 1 helot you. Wee fee that when the people had once bin brought lowc, they perceiued and acknowled- gedawonderfUl goodncfleinGod, and there- withal! became y better difpofed to profit them- Telues by the correftion that was fent them. Let vs marke well therefore, that when our Lordvt- tereth any token of his grace and goodneffe to- wardes vs : therein he flieweth more apparant- wJl make vs to go much more fwiftlie towardes 50 lyhowemuch helouethvs, than ifhcmade no the marke of the heauenly kingdome thatisfet before vs , than if wee had runned neucr fo faft, andhad neuerleft galloping alltheway. Thus y£ fee what we had to marke more, vppon this faying, that the people would necdes goe vp to difcomfit their enemies. Nowe Mofes addcth , that They made thtm- feli4es r4adie vith their armour and wetfons. Yea forfooth , but it is all one as if ye ftioiilde put countenance of any thing , but helde his mouth fhut.and fuffered vs to do what wc liiled. Why? For alas,we fliould but throwe our felues head- Jong into deftruftion , if we followed cuer)' man his owne fanfic. Seeing it is fo then, whcnfoeuer God fetteth himfelfe againft vs, whenfoeuer he rebukethvs.andwhenfoeuerhe fhswcth vsour follie, yeatlioughit be with fuchroughncffcas it amaieth vs : yet is it to our bencfite , & there- an armour vppon a fcarccrowes backe, and take go fore let vs learne to beare his yoke. him a fworde inhisfifte : furelvhee were fub- ftantially well armed : but in deede all were to nopurpofe. Eucnfoisit v/ith vs : If wee were furnifhcd withallthe helpes of man and with alinteriour meanes, and in the meanc whyle Wfjc notftrengthencdin ojir hcartes, but were Moreoucr let this bee our rule to difccme good and euill by : namdy to depend wholly vponGods mouth, and not to bee wife in our owne conceits,but tofufferhimtobe our guide, and not to fall to gambolding at our owne plea- ftire and fanfic J hue to folio we the way quietly E 3 which. $4 The io.Sermon Of IohnCaivin which he flitweth vs. And then will he giue vs araies and lcgs,and guide all our fteppes in fuch fort, as he will makevs to goe ftill forewardc, and caufc vs to arriue at the good haucn. But on the contrarie part , if wee will ncedes bee fantafticall , and doe thinges vpponour owne head and vppon our owne liking, and therevp- on fall alfo to foolifh praftifcs:God muft needes bee againft vs : And then albeit that all thinges goe well forewarde with vs to our fecming, i and fall out according to our minde : yet wUI God turne all vpfide downe, and ouerthrowe vs when we be at the higheft, Thofe are the things which wee haue to note. And therefore let vs fct all our whole mindes to obey God : And for the bringing thereof to pafl'e , let vs bcfeech him to giue vs the true vnderftanding of lus wordc, andtokeepe vsfrom being froward and ftub- borne againft him , as wee fee by the e-xample thatis (hewed vsherc, whichi pray Godwcc may cfchew. And now let vs kneele downe in the prcfcnce of our good God with acknowledgement of our faultes, praying him fo totouchc vs with them, as wee may profite more and more in faith and repentauncc, euen vntill he haue vttcriy chaun- ged vs : and not fufFer vs to ftand againft his ho- o ly commaundementcs,nor to dubblc our mifdb- ings when wee haue offended hirh : but to rc- forme vs in fuch fort , that being rid of all flcrtily glory, wee may feeke nothing but to bee morti- faed by him , to the end y he may fo frame vs to his righteoufncflc , as our whole indeuourmay be to rule all our thoughtes wordesanddeedes thereby. That it maypleafe him to grauntthw grace.not onely to vs.but alfo,&c. On Wednefday the xxiiij . of AprilL 1 5 5 5' The tenth Sermon vpou theJirU (hapter. 42 And the Lord,&c. 43 I tolde you of it : but you wouldc not hcarc mec , but rebelled againft the comtnaundement of the Lord,and were prefumptuous,and went vp into the hilL 44 Then the Amorrhyte which dwelt in that hill , came out againft you and chafed you,as bees doe,and fmote you in Seir cuen vnto Horma. 45 And when ye were come backe againc, ye wept before the Lorde : but the Lord heard not your voycejne inclined his eares vnto you. 46 So you abode a long time at Cades barne, as the daycs doe Ihcwc which you haue taryed there. E fa we ycftcrday howc it is not lawfiill for vs to put foorth our felucs , except GOD call vs and fliewe vs the way:and that although the thing which wee J take in hande, bee neuer fo al- lowable in refpeft of men , yet is it nothing woorth vnkfle God bee our guide , and that wee bee fure that wee aduenture vppon nothing but by his will. Therewithall wee fawe alfo that we hai'.e too ticklifli a nature , infomuch that when any thing is to be doneQhat lyketh our fclues,] wee bee but too forewardc , and wee c annot ta- rietillGODftiewevs his will. And that on the conrrarie part, wee fee what vnluftinefle is in vswhcn God commaundeth vs any thing : for then wee bee fo lifie as is pitie to fee , it fec- mcth that our leggcs are broken : and to bee fliorr, wecbeeftarke lame. Nay ( which worfe is ) when wee we siz to doe well , wee marre all by our rRilincfle. And this is confirmed yet bet- ter by that which Mofes addeth.Forherehear- feth what G O D had inioyned him. Thou flialt fay vnto them , Goemtvp ,ntfighni>t, forlam rot with you ( fay cth the Lorde, ) and therefore jtt (hall bee ouercome, Inthisfencence wee fee how itbelongcthcoGodtofay , Goe : and likewife to bidde vs tarric , when he thinketh good. And ifwce haue not that voyce to guide vs: wcroay well feeke all manner of fumiture,and wee may bcwellynough armed to the fight of the world: butyetftiall there bee nothing butconfofionin our cafe . Then Lke as wee muft fimply obey the thing that GOD commaundeth , and hail foreward with all fpeedc when wee fee it is his pleafurc that wee fliould goe : fo on the contra- 10 riepart, when he will haue vs to fit ftill, let his forbidding fufficc vs, alluring our felues that he will turne all thinges vpfide downe^fwee thinkc to fiirthery matter by thrufting our felucs fore- ward. To be ftiort, we muft yceld God no lelfc honour & rcuerence , in forbearing to do things when he forbiddeth them : thanindooing and executing the things that helikcth. Andheftiewethexpreffcly , thatitfliall not bootc vs to do any thing vnlefle God command 20 it.according as it hath bene declared heretofore howitbelongethto him to fight. True it is that he will haue the faithfullto inforce thcmfelues, but yet in fo dooing wee muft attribute all vnto him. Therefore if he be on our fide we ftiallbcc fure of the viftoric : but ifhc ftirinke from vs,we Ihall haue the foylc though aU the world helped V!,. Thenis there but this one onely refpeft that may Vp ON De VTERON OMIE, CaP.I. may giue v« courage : which is , that God hec at hand with vs to fuccour v s , fo as wee bee fure ot:" his afliftancCjand rcll wholly thereupon. Neuer- thelcflc it is not for men to bcare thcmfclues in hand that Godvvill aide them, further than he hatli aifured vs by his promiTe. But it is ccrtcine that God makes no promile to 3ny,but to fuch as vvalke in obedience.Whofoeuer then flingcth o- ucr the ficldes,thit is tofayjWhofoeuer gaddcth here and there, & rcfteth notfimply vpon Gods *vord,doeth vttcrly refufe the bencfitc that God had promilcd him,& bereaueth himfclfc thereof wiltuUy. For the recciuing of Gods word to the end we may know what to do,and be ruled by his mouth : and to truft in liim-.fo as we be grounded vpon his grace , and rcfort to him for fuccour at our neede , arc things infcparable. He therefore that Will ncedes dally vpon his ownc head , and tmfttohis owne fooLth imnginations without fubmittinghirafelf toGod : may well fay , I hope God will helpe me : but his hope hath no refcm- blance to the hope of y faithfull. So then, feeing ive percciue what our owne imaginations arerlet vs looke whatthings God giueth vs leaue to do, suidwhatislawhillforvstodoby his word. And therewithall,letvsbe forewardin doingy which he biddeth vs,waiting for his blcffing wherby he Will make all to profpcr. For although we fee the contrarie to our vnderftanding : yet (hall we o- uercome all impediments by his helpe. But howfoeuer the cafeft.mdc, Ictvsbeare this lelTon in minde , that GOD, if wee Therefore we fee herein, howe fore the wretched world is blinded, feeing they giue thcmfclues to their ownc foUiis & to men s tradirions,andthinkcnotai all vpon the things that God hath ordained : No : that fhall be the laft thing y they will doe. And therefore it ftan- deth vi fo much the more on hand to fludie well thisleHonofMofesjThat God will not bee with vs.exccpt we come neere vnto him, and be dili- gent to hearken what he will fay vnto vs , & fol- 5j Deut.ii.jt. lowc it when we haue done , without adding any thing to it,or diminil'hing any thing from ic.And thusyefeeincfted.whatwc haue to gather vp- on this ftreine. Nowherewithall Mofes threatencth them. That they fhiUbeeouercome of their enemies, and fall before them, M'hereby we be done to vnd-r- ftand, that if God bee once gone away from vs, wee muft ncedes perilh , yea and our enemies 10 muft ncedes haue the vpper hand of vs, accor- ding as wee fee in another place , that God lea deth vs Qintoadueifiuc,] and holdeth vs as it were fettered in it. And when our toes haue fuch power ouervs , itisbecaufe wee bee Gods pri- Ibners. True 1 1 is that men aduauncc thenifelues ynough in their prefumpcion , but vet for all that , God daunteth their courage when it com- mcth to the pmchc,and holdeth their hsndi faft tyed,fo as they cannot ftirre oncfiagcr. Lctvs 20 matkewell therefore, that wee muft necd;s fall before our cnemi.'s , if wee bee not vpheldeby Gods hand . For there lyeth all our ftrength. Naymorcouer, though no manfoll3wevs,vct muft wee fall before our owne niadowcs.and be ouercome without any man puifuingofvs. For Le.if.i?.}!! Gods wrath of it felfe without any other helpe or mcanc.is able ynough to confound vs.Nciier- thelefle the diuill cealfcth not to praftife to de- ftroyvs.and webc aflailed on all fides: therforc JO what wouldebecomeofvs, ifGod werenotour wall and bulwatke ? Then if we confidcr well the ftatcofourlife, there is none other way for vs, but to waL warre againft a creature, but manifcftly wftand Gods word are armed with fuch a fword , as is a- God, who will be heard when he fpeaketh fo by ble to confound all fuch as will not obey the do- men,andferuethhisturne by them as by his in- ftrine. Andherewithalllikewifeleteuericman Jlruments.Thereforeletvs beare well in mindc haueaneyctohimfelfe,3nd whenhccommeth this order of Mofes faying, which is,y he himfclf hither to be taught in the name of God , let him isthcfpeaker,&yetnotwitliftanding,ythepco- be prepared with fuch lowelincs andmodeftie, plcindifobeyinghimdifobeyedGod. For why? as he may percciue that it is God which fpea- Mofes had not forged any thing of his owne ' keth , and be moucd to bow downe his necke.to braine,but fhewed vnto them how it was God y Jo receiue his yoke patiently. And as for thofe thac , had fent him. And thetforc it is no ftraungc caJe will needs play the wild beaftes : let them vnder- rfiat God fliould finde himfelfe grieued , & that ftand y here is fentenct giucn vpon them , fo as his Maicftie ftiould be offeded,& take y outrage they may well plead againft it,but they (hall win to be done as to himfelfe, when the mcifage that nothing by their (hiftes, bicaufc it is faid that all he had fentbyMofcs was not receiued. Inlike- fuchasobeyed notMofes, wercdifobcdientto Matt.10,14. wife is it at tills day . And for the fame caufc Gods owne mouth. ^*°' doethourLordelefusChriftauow, thatifmen AndnoweMofcs addeth cxpreflely , That refufetohearetheMiniftersof thcGofpelljhe thifto^liintrefrejumftuoui, in that they woulde will take that wrong to bee done to himfelfe. not bee at reft. And this importeth very much. Therefore letnot men make aieftofit, when 40 Forit doeth vs tovnderftjnd , that there wa» G ODcaufeth his worde to bcepreachednowe neuer yet any vnbehefc or ftubbornnefle in adayes , andftirrethvp men to publilhe it a- men, butit was matched with loftineffc, and broadc : Ifanymanthinketo efcapc by faying, pride, wliich puffed them vpm fuch wife, and they bee but men with whom wee haue to doe, made them fo farre out of patience with them- and therewithal! defpifc the doftrine : they ftiali felues , as they fell to checking againft GOD, knowein the end,that it came from heauen,and and to giue diemfelues to alleuill. And thatis that they fet themfelucs againft Godandnota- ycaufcwhy vnbcliefe isfo behatedaforc God. gainft mortall creatures : for he will haue his Sometimes it willfeemetovs to bee ouer great Maieftie to bee knowcn there. Then if men rioour , when GOD punifticth them fo fore take him for their ibuereignc Lorde, let them jo which cannotQfinde in their hearts to] hearken ftoope vnto him , and doe him homage in his to his word. For we cxcufe them by ignoraunccj doftrinc. For he hath Printed his marke in fuch forafmuch as they were not well sflurcd thac wifethere,thatifany man incounter the things itwasGodthat fpake : and in the meane time that are conteyned in it , it is all one as if hee wee looke not to the euill that luiketh in couert, would put his truth vnder foot.whcrein he hath which God perceiueth and iudgeth : y is to wit, (hewed himfelfe openly as in his liuely image. that men arcinwardly as ftillofpoifon as toads, Looke that wee beare that poynt well in minde. and that they bee fhiffcd with pride, which ma- For if earthly Princes reuenge the dcfpite thac kcththetomoutvpinfuchwifc,asineffcftthcy is done to their cotcarmours , and thinke them- refufe to obey God,forafmuch as they vouchfafe felues to bee mifufed therein: I pray youis it ^o nottoyeeldeallfuperioritietohim. Thatisthe not much more rightful! realbn that God fliould caufc why pride or preemption, is matched in doe fo, when men make no reckening of his this place with vnbelicfe. And it is y lame tiling worde ? [Yes verily.] For this cafe concerneth which I hauc declared afore , namely that the notfome painted pifture or blafing of armes:buc true hardinefle muft bee grounded in God,fo as ft is the image of God which appeared to vs in men muft not attempt anything vpon opinion fubftancc,yca euen with fuch power as wc ought of their owne power , nor perfwade themlcluea thac VpoN De VTER0N0MI5. CAP.r^ ^f that they haUe this or that: but oncly Ibnd vnto God hath an efteauall u'orde.and that hishand that which OoJp.omill-th vs. U It be not lo with and his tongue goc together, fo as a]] that cuet vs : then will oai hardincffe be turned into pre- coirmcth t;om him ihaU be found to bee cer- fumptuouiheire . And in thii refpecl ought wcc tainc and infallible. to condemne mens ralhndle when they ad- Alfo wcc hauc to marke this fimilitude that usnce themfcluss too much : and to conimendc Mofes fcttcfh downe here : namely that the Jm. their muinciblc conllancie, when they fubmit morrhyta came out iyli,eBeei . Porwce knowe that thcmfelucs cut of h.uid to Gods woorde, fcLthat when Bees are angryc,they ftmg men: and they hauiiig once his promife , they reft vpon it as regardnotwhetherincnbctooftionpforthem, vppon a rockc defpifin; alllhimblmgblockes, 1° but they fiy vppon them with luch cholcr and & keepc on their pace ft.!, notwithftandmg any fiirie.as they cannot butbe aftcmflicd.Thty feke trouble or fto. me that can beftirred vp againft to fting their eyes :fo as there is not the hardicft thcm,oranie threatening or menacing of tliem. of them, but he is put to his (luftes, and is fame Itwill be fayddiucrs times, that Gods feruantcs torimnc away from thofe httle p'retic fowles. are wiliull: becauletlieywiUnodwaiuetbrany Mofes dicn hatli vfed this fimilitude , to/h;we thing, nor for alywoildly reafonsthatcan bee that the enemies had Lyons hearts , becaufe aliedgcd.Thisandthatlhallbcbrouchnn, and Godhadmcouragcdthcm.Forit bclongeth to wee knowe that nothing is cafier than to ftrike him oncly to ftrengthen men . When itple;'reth fayle at euery blaft ofwindc as they fay. But wee him to defend vs , though our enemies were as (eechatfuchaspurpofeto fcrue God, doefhut 20 madasmightbe, yctfliouldthey ftirinke away, their eyes againft al daungers,infomuch that al- and be difmayad at a thing of nothing.But clfe,!? though ill lliouldgoe to hauqckc, yet will they there were but little children againft vs , G OD notceafctodoe the thing that is commaunded would foftrcgthen them, as we ihould not knovT ihe.Lo here a willfulnefl'c:yea verily, according where to become, but bee difcomfited before 10 the opinion ofthefleih: but yet m very deedc them. Therefore letvs nothaueaneye to the jtHtheuuehardinefic.Whyfo'Becaufeithath ftrengthofmen, nor to their furniture . For our the good foimdation. Heauen and earth arc of Lord will ftirre vp folke againft vs,thatcouldc great weight : and yet is all that houge_ building doe nothing afore , and in whom there was no grounded vppon the oncly wordc of God. In lykelyhoode at all : and wee ihall be fo combred what good plight then ftialla particular thing 30 tovvithftandthcm, thattoourfeeming, all the be, when ic is founded vppon the fame ? Thus worldis againft vs : and moreouer wee Ihall be yee lee what wee hauc to gather vpon this text, fodifmayed, and G O Dftiallfo bcieauc vs that the people was prcfumptuous in that they of allfcnfcandreafon, thateuenaviforftullbc ycelded not to God, when hee commaunded enough to fcarrevs out ofourwittes. Thusyee them to fit ftilL fee what wee haue to confider hi this fimilitude Now, to the end; wee may know,that when which Mofes hath fet downc here in the text. God liach once fpoken , they be no tlireatnings Fin-Ily he fiyth that the people beingfo difcomp- tofcarre babes with3llasthcyfiy:headdcthfor ttJ, [ell to wetping , but ^odheard not their cry and a conclufion , Tou vent vp , and behold,the AmmoT' fo they tnyed in Cadet Barne according to the time rhyie that datlt on the hill came outbefore yoli, -q that they abode thereSome^u^^Xy k here Vv thefe and chafed you at wafpei or Bees doe , infomuch vtoxAcs ,accordingto the time thatyou abode in 0- thatthey fniQteyuuinmount Seir men vntoHorma. ther placet , and theyfaythat they abode there Hereby Moles fhrwcth that the people were nynctecneyeeres. But thatcannotbcprooued tJUghc after the maner of fooles , tliat is to fay, by the holy fcripture, & the makers of that slofc by their ownch lime. And good reafon it is that Avere the Icwes , whohauc turned all theho- wh.n we will not bcleeue Gods fing]ev\ord, we ly fcripture topfitcruie, with theirdrcames and fhouldpny very deereforourexpcrience,jndbe dotages. The meaning of Mofes is farre other- made to knowe in fpite of our teeth , that he will wife. For his intent is to put the people in minde beftedfaftinhispurpofc, andbringthe thingto oftheir long abiding at Cades Barne , becaufe pilTethathehatlifpokcn. Andhercbywee bee 5° God hclde them there as it were atabaye: and warned not to pioiiokc Gods wratli , nor to to make them cal to remembrance and confider tempt him . So foone then as he fpeaketh, let vs the better that his pulling down oftheir pride af fland in awe : for it is apart of fay th as is fiievved tcr that maner , and his caufing of them to fccle by the example ofK^c in the eleuenth chapter- that they ought not to raiuige abroad at randcn Hcb.ii.y. tothcHebrcwes. Itisfaydthcre ,thatNoebe- when God fhutteth the gate againft the by for- heldthc flud at fuch time as men made great bidding them, was a iuftpiuiifliment fro hcauen. chcre in the world . How fo? for God had told Mofes then intcndeth here toftablilli the pcn- him that the world flnuld pcrilli , and hec con- pie the better in y knowledge which they oughc tented himfelfe therewith. And therefore letvs to haue had long agoc concerning Godsiufticc, not tary till God arme himfelfe and vttcr his (o totheende that the fame may humble them, & power againft vs:but as foone as he hath fpoken, touchc them the better with repentance. That let vs be afr.iide,that wc may prcuent his wrath: is the playne meaning of the text. andthenfhallwcbct-iughl as wee ought to be. Now wee fee here firft of all, that men re- toourwelfare . But ifwebeehatdheaded, and coyleahundred pacesbacke, when they weene thinkc that allthit eucr is faydeis butamoc- to goe forewardc but one , at leaftewife be- kerje : wcc Ihall finde to our confufion , thac yonde the will of God . This people was neerc fg The 10. Sermon Of loHN Calvin. ncere their enemieSjthey did but put themfelues tance by tlicir ownc freewill . Loe what their o« jnareadmefle.andasfooneastheywercarmed, ucrwecningis.Butktvs vnderftsnd that itisa they gaue charge vppon tliem . They needed fingular woorking of the holy ghoft , when it not CO retyrefor'the matter, that is to lay , they pleafech bm to leadc vs to repentance . For needed not to reinoue : for wee fee how they be whatelfeisitthanarenewingoftheman > Is it chafed, and not onely beaten downe tlicre m in any mans power to create himfclfc? No: but the fame place: but that God alfodiyueth them Godfafliionethvsneweagainc, and therefore bcforethewinde, aschafFeorduftisdriuen.Y« thatprayfeistobegiuenvntohiin. Ag3ine,our fee then here is a fayre lookingglaffe to fliewe wittes arevtterly dulled or rather ftarkeblinde. vs that when men prcfumeto make themfelues lo God muft beefaine toinlightcn them. And is redoubted they doe no fooner fet one foote that in our power ? Whereas there is nothing foreward.butGodplucketh them an hundred but corruption in our hartes: whereas there is leagues backc and that to their great confufion. nothingbut fecretc rehellioufneffe and mafice: What is to be done then ? Obedience muft al- Godmuftbefainctoridandclenfe away cuery way es be as a creflct vnto vs to (hew vs the way, whit of it. fo as we may firft and formoft knowewhatGod And therefore let vs marke well thacthere hath appointed , and thereupon take courage to was no repentance intliis people, aldicu^h they goe, when we before that he guideth our foote- weretouchcdbeforc.lt might well bee a fignc fteppes. For thereupon wee may boldclycon- that God had coinpaflionofthem: but true re- cludc , that the ende tlicreof fhall bee good, ^o pentancerequirctli not onely an acknowlcdge- and that there fhall fbllowe nothing of it but mentofour faultes, but alio that wee fhoulde profpericie.Butcontrariwife.ifweewiUneedcs beforyeforthem , and that vppon the feeling beleapinfout, when God will haue vs fit ftill ofourowne euUl, wecfliould goevnto GOD, athome:itwilJ coftevsvery deare. Thus yee referring our felueswholy vnto him, and fee- fee what wee haue to remember vppon this text king nothing but to bee gouerned thencefoorth ofMofes, where hee fayth exprellely that the by him, forafmuch as we haue nothing but fro- pcople were chafed euen vnto Horma, and that wardnefle in our felues . But the people were ihey came vnto Cades. notyetcomctothispoynt: andfo wee feethcy As touching the weeping that is fpoken of were not ripe to repentance. And as touching here, it fliould feeme that there was fonie re- Jo their weeping , true it is that they had Ibmc pcntance in them before,and that now the fame feeline and vnderftanding : but that was noc was doubled : and yet notwithftanding it is faid enough yet. that it was but loft time , and that the peoples Furthermore letvs marke Well, that Gods weeping booted them not at all . This at tlic refufing to heare the cry of the childre oflfracl, firft bluQie might feeme contrary to other texts wasnottolhakethem otFvnerly. And there is a.-Clir«i4 ofthcholyfcripture. Foritis faydthatasfoone not a text better worthie to be noted than this. Sc'tij.'fi.i.jj as finncrs acknowledge their faultes and doe but For it importeth great inftruftion for all our fish for them, God receiueth them to mercie, wholelyfe .Ifaythcnthat Godharktncdnotto yea and tuen preuenteth them . It is fayd that the peoples weeping , and yet notwithftanding hcctaryethnottillweecry.butthathepreuen- 40 thathedidnot vtterly ftiake them off, nor was teth our crying : oratleaftwifethat whenfo- altogether dcafe to their requcft. And how may eucr w;e pray , he is ready to heare vs. But here that be ? For fometimcs God hcareth vs not to it fcemeth that the people repented , and yet outward appearance , and yet howfoeuer the that God letteth them alone , fo as, they Ian- cafeftande our prayers are not vnauaileablc, guii^:ftill without faring any whitte the bet- but doe vs good. rer for their repentance. As touchingthe thing Asforexample:Whena manhathplayed the that wee haue feene , it was fet downe to (hewe vnthrifc , G O D plucketh him backe , ( there vs that the people had a falfe repentance , as are examples enowe to be feene thereof corn- men comonly haue, foothingthefelucs through monly :) and when another hath bin giuen to hipocryfic, and bearing themfelues on hand jo gluttonicand exccfl&anotherhathbina whor- that they bee well foriefor ihcir finnes , when monger or a drunkard, andanother hathbin a there is ftiU fome backe nooke behinde , fo as blafphemcr: very wel, God feeing men become theyconfidernottheraifchiefe fo deepely asit fuch beaftes , Uibdueth them by force , hee weremcetetobelearched.Trueitis,that God fendeth them affliftions which lafte not for a will noc fuffcr vs to be plunged in Qforrowc for3 day or a moneth only , but linger vpon them a our finnes, (o wee bethinkcvs of them earneftly: longtime : whereupon the one forte take the but all our feeking is to couer them , and bridle in their tcctli, and chawe vppon ic with to forget them quite by our good will . Now fretting and chafing againft God , continue ftill then , wee haue fo much the more necde to fturdy and ftubborne in thcir'finnes : the other pray Godtoworkefoinvs.aswcemay notbec ^^ forte graunt that they haue offended, and are lere.15. 13- doubkheaitedtoflatterourfelues. Andforthe forie for it before God,befeching him to vouch- &Roin.'i. 5 . fame caufs the holy fcripture telleth vs , that fafe to moderate his rigor,& to aflwage y paines he which knowcth not how hard it is to come to which they indure. And yet in the meane while, repentance, deceiueth himfelfe. theirmiferie abateth not, but they contincw at The Papiftes imagine,thatthey can helpc the fame ftay that they were at before. It (hould themfelues and fiuthcr themfelues to repcn- fcemc then y their prayers are loftj&that God gauo Vpon Devteronomie, Cap. i. 59 gauc acafe care vnto them. Now although fucli God ilicwcd not by outward deed.that he heard folkepray hartily: yetlet vsmarkcthat Gods them,and yet m the mcanc while he made th.cir heanngot them ib not to outward appearance. bodily punilhment to feruc to the welfare o£ Andv/hy? Becaule he knoweththatit is good their foules imfomach that albeit they lingered for them to be fo vnder his rod Ml . Euen fo was there by tlie fpace of fortie ycercsyct were they it with this people ; it was to their bencfite for notdifmheritedofy kingdom ofheaucii. Whcr- themtobepucinmindeof their lewd; dealings as they were difappointed of the land that was cucry minute of an houre. But yetfor ail-that, promifed them: therein they fdt Gods wrath: hefaylethnottshiuc compailnnof them: for but yet did they oucrconie that temptation he giucth them patience , and afterwardc ma- lo through fayth : I meane them that came againc kcth their arfl;aions to doc them good : info- into the right way , and grew not hardhearted much that although they were irkfomc to them, as the molt part did, which did notliing clle but yet did they ftandthcm inftcad of medicines. chafe vpon the bit, as we hauefeene afore. And Yc fee then that God doth Ibmetimcs heare vs, herein wee fee, that if we haue true repentance andyetnotwithftanding it appeareth not fo to of ourfinncs, we (hallfindethatGod isnotvn- any mans thinking, yea and eucn wee our fclucs mindcftill of our recjueftes, though he hearevs niayfuppofe that wee haue loll our time. True notfo foone as wee would : and that yet not- itisthatGodwillfurely reicfttheyellingsofthe withftanding our repentance muftkeepevs ftill wickedwhcntheycryoutvntohim,andthathe vnder , fo as although that (toour feeming) will laugh at their weepings: and it is not to bee 20 the gate vnto Gods goodnellc is lliut againftvs, mirueiledat. And yet in fo doing he fayleth and he will not admit vs in : yet neuerthekHc, Ex 21 17 & "3^^ ^° ="^'^o"ip'''l^« hispromife, which is, that ourprayersfliallnot be in vaine.For God will s!c"r!7.iV ^^ will heare all them that cry vnto him. And (hewein the end, that he was not deaf to our why? For this promifc belongeth to none but reguefts, but that he heard them to giue vs fuch fjchas cry vnto God rightly , and comcnotto aflwagementof ouraffliftions, asheknewtobc hi n with windlades and feming, according to meete and expedient for our welfare. PW.i4;.i8 this exprelfe fjying of the pfalme, that God is And finally let vs markewcl that if God haue neeretoallfuch as call vpon him, yea, as call punilliedvs,yea& that the affliftion hath indu- vpon him in trueth . Then if wee wUl be heard red a long timc;y remebraunce thereof muft bee at Gods hand, wee maftfirft and forraoll haue 30 well printed in our raindes, that we become not ouraffeiflionsclenfed. And therefore his rcie- lykethofe which forget Gods chaftifementes •ftingofthehipocnteswhcnthey cry vnto him, winadayortwaine.Andyisy caufe whyMofes is no counterworking againft his promife : For fayth toy pcople,./4ccoc and wheras things were in good forewardnefle. If Go^ will haue vs to tary', why lets he vs not and there was good lykelyhoode that allrtiould ^^ alone? Or if he willhaue vsto goe.why ih-w haue florifhed and bin in great profperitie : if we eth hee vs not the way , to fay, eoe foreuarde > fee a fuddeinc conflifion, and that the fame con- He holdes vs here lyke little children fo as wee tinueth afterward.and things goe on from worfe doc nothing but fetch a circuit without dcpar- to worfc: let vsvnderftand that it IS for our fins ting out ofone place, and whenwee hauetyred fakes, &becaufe wee haue peruerted the courfe ourlegges neuerfomuch , wee are ncuer tlic of GodsgoodnciTe. ForhetforhispartHneuer furtlieronwardeonourway.The people niicht fcj'lcth to goe foreward with the good that hee haue defcanted after that faftiion . But what > hath begunne to doc for vs : but wee cannot a- They tary till God fay to them , Tmne yee that bide that hee lliould continue it , wee hinder rvay. Wee fee then yet ftill howc this chaftilc- him asmuch as in vsly eth. And therefore is he ^ menthaddonethem good in that bchalfe. And faine to handle vs as we deferue. heereupon letvs marke what true repeutaunce Befides this , let vs allure our felues that bringeth with it. Where as wecweredcifewhen when we obey God , then hath he made his cor- God fpake to vs , and gaue no eare to his vovce : reftions auaileable in vs . True it is that a great vvce muft holdeour felues in awe vnder him nombcr doc- harden yi'hcn God gocth about to and looke what hee fayth , that muft wee doe fubdue them:yee (hall fee themgrowe wilfUl andno more. That isthcchiefe ftxiiteofre- andfiillofvenimagainfthim.ButGodworkcth pentance . And if it appeared vnto vs in this afterfuchaforteinhischofen, that when hee people which was fofhibbornc and vntamable: fmitcth them with his hand , he doth alfo touch what excufe will there be for vs , if wee will not the inwaidly with his holy fpirit, foas their harts , receiue the thinges that arefpoken toys in the become foft that they may obey.byrealbnwher- name of God: but rather will be ftjll replying, of the correftions doe ihemgood . Although and haue not the witteand difcretionto fuffer then that the miferies which we indure are hard our felues to be guided by him who oncly can and contrary to our nature : yet muft wee thinke leade vs aright ? So much the more then ought diem good , becaufc God makcth them to ferue wee to reftraine our felues from attempting a- for our welfare after that falhion. ny tiling , ynlelTe God commaund it, F Moreoucr 62 The ii.SfiRMOK Of Tohk CaIvin Moreouer it is fayd that the fiofle (hallfajje ihrOH^i the country e of Edome, without frouokfng of the mhabitantes . Firll of allitis fayd. They bee your brethren , the chitdrtn of Efau . Wee knov/e thacEfau was the brother of Iacob,who was the Patriarke,and ( as yee would fay ) the wellpring from whence this people defcended . And for afmuch as Efau came of the line of Abraham: apartofthelandofpromifehad belonged vnto Icfle we be gouerncd by his holy fpirit-[]No furc- ly :] For either his fpiritniuft cry in our hartcs: or clfe we (hall haue our mouthes ihut . Againe Rora-'-'^* on the other fide, by what title can wee claymc '^'' * fo great a bencfite and honor as to be the chil- dren of God : if we be not members of kfus Chrift'Butweebe not of his body , but vppoa condition aforefayd . Whofoeuer then hurteth his neighbor , whofoeuer is voyde of louing- him, but that hee was cutofffrom the inheri- ^° kindencfleandpitic , whofoeuer layeth to cat- tuig thereofjhowbeitnotby thcpleafureofman, but by the heauenly ordinaunce vttered by God (3jn_j;_ J, ycaciien while their mother Rebecca was &Mal.i.i. with childe of them , inafmuch as hee fayd jcRom.p,i3 that the elder fhould feruc the younger . But yet for all this , Efau ceafed not to bee Jacobs brothe~rftill. And their children ought to haue continued the fame brbtherhoode & kinred be- twixt them aftcrwarde . Marke tliat for one poynt. Another poynt is, T/)j»f Godgalte motmt Seir infsffe'sfion to Eftat : it was his lot . When he had excluded him out of the land of Chanaan , hee gaue him the other countrye for himfclfe and his fucceli'ors.Forafmuch then as it was afTigned him of God: it was not for men to attempt to depriueorbereauc him thereof . Now as tou- ching this brotherhood , God will haue it to nioue vs, and to be as a ccrteinbond to knit vj ching and fnatching on all fides : the fame ( as muchasinhimis)rendeth lefus Chrift in pee- ces . And thcrfore let vs marke well, that when God allcdgeth kinred: webe warned to confider in what degree God hath put vs, and what vni- on hee hath fet among vs,&euery of vs to dif- charge himfclfe faithtli'ly thereof, toy intent j^ whereas God hath fetvs together to maintainc vs in good agreement and loue: wee make not 20 a confufcd diforder • Let that fcrue for one poynt. But if wee confider the common trade of theworlde.howitfhould leeme thatmenhaue confpyred to d6e clcanc contrary to Gods com- maundement : it is fo farre of from neighbors to thinkc that Gods placing of them necre toge- ther , is to the end that eucry man (liouldeferuc his neighbors turne , and all imploy themfelues to the common profite, without hurting or gree- together, fo as nature may perfwade vs to bee 3° uing one another : thateuen brothers thinke ic kindehearted one to another 5 andrelVeyne vs from doing wrong or harme co any man. True itis that there is not flefhly kinred betvveene all men, to make them fo necre of bloud as they might call one another coufins,and name them- fe lues be any linage whereof either other were defccndedibutyct is there a certain coraon kin- red ingenerall, which is, that all then ought to think how they be falhioned after Gods image, lawfull to (hift euery one for himfelfe, and there is noneotherlyfc with them, but to drawcftill to themfclues without any pitie or compaffion. How then dial the neighbors be brethren,which haue but fome acquaintance a farre of: feeing; y they which were borne all in one belly ,and are all one mans children,beare no more fricndfhip one to another thanwilde beaftes , but rather muchlcfle? Truely it fliouldfceme that Tome and that there is one nature common among ^o willneedes be brethren , cuen in Ipitcof God, them al. Eucn the heathen men knew thatvery wel. Sothsn whereas we haue fome difcrenon to maintaine peace and concorde,and toyeclde euery man his right without taking away of any n:iansgoods,& without committing of any ex- tortioner outrage: and wee peruert the order of nature, and arc worfe than the wilde beaftes which make countenance one to another when they be al of onekind.For the woolues are not at Forif itbeto doe fome mifchiefe , or to playc fome diuelifh pranke to the ouerthrowe of all goodnelfe: then they can skill to alledge ^ wee haue this , and wee haue that , wee be country- men, wee be neighbors children borne all in one towncLoe how the wicked can finde thcra- feluestobecoufinsand brothers. And what tor doe ? TorifcvpagainftGod, to put allthinges out of order . to make (guards and frayes , to fuch variance among themfelues as men arc. '° maintainc themfclues in alHoofenelfe , and to And therefore let vs learne, that although there be not any ncere kinred among vs, yet notwith- ftanding m afmuch as we be men,there ought to bcfomecomon bond betweenevs, and a cer- tain brotherly loue.But there is yet another con- fidcration among Chriftians: for God hath a- doptedthemto bee of his houfholde: and that oughttoauaile more than all the kinred on the earth. For feeing that God hath tolde Vs that he procure all manner of ftumblingblockes, thac Gods name may be blafphemcif and all hone- ftieperuerted. Thefe arc the brotherhoods and coufiningfhips of the worlde , as is to bee feene too much . But when it commeth to the poync that euery man (hould helpe his neighbor , and! abfleine from doing him harme or anoyance? men be fo farre of from abfteining,oi- from thin- king that God vnitcd them togcdicr , or thac intcndeth to take vsto himfelfe, bccaufe that ^o Godhathcreatedtheafterhisownimage, ora- bcingofhisChurch weebeeasitwerehisowne gayne, that they be bound yet waftraker bond, children , and call vpon him as with one mouth, fa)ing our father: if wee neuerthelefle agree as cattes and dogger among our felues: may it in any wifebcbo.ne withal, fpccially confidering thac wee cannot clay me him for our father , yn- inafmuch as he hath adopted them by his Gof- pel to be members of his fonne lefus Chrift, and hcires of the kingdome of heauen: men (I fay) are fo farre ofFfrom thinking any fuch thing, that they peruert the whole order of nature, with Vpo^ Db vteronomie. CavS. 63 with worfe dianbcaftly fuiie. Btityetis this text liitficienctoconJemnc men if they walk not in all mildcnefr»,and be not more kindhcartcd one to another than they be. Now let vs come to that which is added here in the fccond place: which is , Thai God hddgiutn Mount Seirinpojfei/ion to Efau . Tluc it is that whenhecompaieth Efau and lacob together, he faythby his prophet , Is not Efau Jacobs bro and biittcls] of fieldes: for without them, all wouldc goe to hauocke , (o as men would eate vpone another .Wee will wellgraunt this as in refpeiftofaficldor amcdoweibut wee fee that the pride , Ambition, and vnfatiable couetouC. ncfle of men-haue fo caiyed away their mindes, as they haiie not bin aftiamed fince to tranfpofe the boundcs that God hadfct. For as touchng fuch as haue enterprifcd warrcs againft their ther?And yet h.-itie I placed him in a hillie coun- 10 neighbors,to increafe themrelues:haue they not trie , in a flonie and birrein coiintrey : and I haucgiuen you a truiteftill and facte lande. Hereby the people of Ifraell aie put m mindc, that God had bcftowedmanymobcnefites vp- pon th:m,than vppon thofe th at v/ent afore the. For Efau was the elder fonnc , and yet did God dillierithimofthelandthu hehadpiomifedto his graundfathcr Abraham , and to his father Ifaak . And why did God fo ? wee lee none other all broken the order which ought to haue bin inuiolable •■yes: So then wee fee how men are madetofpytcGod through their ambition and couctoufncile.Andyet this mifchiefe continu- ethrtiUatthis day, and is infiamed more than eueritwaf. Butyctfor all that, this rule fhall holdefor euenthat is to wit , that looke what landes, what kingdome,what Lordfliip , what pnncipalitie. rcafon,butfor thathee lifted to vtter lus free ^^ whatftate.or what free citie foeuer there bee: goodnellctowardcs lacob and his Image. The people of Uracil couldc not fay , wee were the more noble and excellent:tbr the byrthright be- longed to Efau. They coidd not fay, wee were better .No: for we fee they were a people fetal- together vppon malice and vnchanketiilnefle . Now then , their inii eritmg of the promiled land befel them not fur any worthinesof their owne, but through Gods meere merry . And befides wee may ailiire ourfelues , that the diftributing of them after that forte, is done by God : and that whofocuer wageth battell againft them , doth as much as in him lyeth to breake the boundcs which God hath fet . I meanc here fuch warres as are taken in hand through ambi- tion , or couetoufhcfle , or pride . Ocherwife, wee fee here.that the children of Ifraell ought to make warrc : for God auoweth their doing, be- this.Godhadalfoprouidedfor Ifmaelwhowas ^q caufehehado'deynedthe to be owners of the halfeabaftard . For the matching of Abraham with Agar was not alawfiiU manage . And al- though it was no aduowtrie : yet was not that mariaee altogether allowed of God . But yet did(}odprouide for Ifmael, in afinuch as hee fayd , I haue heard him . If the cafe ftoode fo with Ifmael , much more reafon was it that E- fau fhoulde haue fome place, and that God /hould extend his bleffing eucn to thofe that land, and will haue the former inhabiters driucn out asthey deferucd. But are warres made nowadayesby the au- thoritieofGod? Haue men an eye to the thing thatis lawfully Yea, or doe they tary till they haue commandementfirom God- Niy, they go to it in defpite of him, the diuiU driues them forewarde. True it is that if a man reafon of Realme\ and Principalities as they bee nowa- were of his Image . And for that caufe did hee ^^ dayes: itniaybcalledgedjhowhaththisiealme giue him mount Scir . Now therefore , in this confideration the people of Ifrael ought not to trouble hira , but to 1ft him alone with the por- tion that was afligncd him from heauen. Here wee haue a good leflon to gather , which be longcth to vs ail. Although mention be made here precifely of the linage of Efau, which were called Edomitcs and IdumEans:yet not- withftandmg , as wefhall fee hereafter in the biri inuaded , and how hath that country bin conquered ? Yea, but yet for all that, it is not for men to rcmoue boundes. Although they haue bin oonfounded:yet is it not for vs to enter- prife any thing . For our Lorde hath not giuen vs commifTion fo to doc : hee h ith rcfcrued that tohimfelfe . Butletvsmarke lykcwife , that when men haue once altered the order that God hath fet. fong, God declareth that according as he made 50 hee muftneedeso'.icithrowc them. And that is the partitions and ftretched out his meetelme, fo were the realmcs and countries deuidcd . Let vs not thinke that the world is ruled by fortune, and that thinges are fointanglcd, bu: that God guidethallby his proui4cnce and power. Hee then hath ftretched out his meetelme to appoint eucry people their countrey to dwelin. But yet for ail that, wee fee how men haue nanfpofed thofe boundes. They will notfticketoconfeflc thecaufewhy there happen fo many changes, anditismarucllchat there are not fecne yet a hundred times mo. Surely if God had not a fpeciall regard to the preferuation of mankmde: no doubtbut wee (hould fee alterations of king- domes euery day , fo tliat within two or three dayes, hee that is now a king Ihould bee but as one that were dreft in a players apparell, to play an enterlude vppnn a ftage . But yet for that boundes arc a very holy tiling. And triiely .chrft of all hov/e God bea- whercbyfomc colour might bee giucn to luftilie reth with vsrforas a father flatteirch hischild, their doouigcs . Nowe thmlpraye you what and vfc-th great gcrtleiicffc to-.v.-rdts him, &al- willhc doem peace, whenweehaueno caufe though he might coir.and him nt one word, fay- ■. to grieue one anotlier , but that they which can ing,doe this or that , without alledgmg any rca- Ikillof hufbandrie may finde themfclucs there- io fon at all: yethe dealeth fo eently with him as to by , the fhoppes are open for marchauntcs and fay , my ch:lde , marl:. , this is the rcafon why I handicraftcsmenj and there is common poll- wouldhauc theecodoe fuchathin?, insomuch cieQbr men to be ordered byr^Seeing that God that he falicth cuen to flatteringof him:-.uen af- induceth vs [jby fuch mcanes] to withholdeour tery fame maner dothGod of his infinite good- lelues from all outrage and extorfion: if we then nesbcarcwich vs.Soniuchy more then arc wee goc about to robbe other men of their goods ,if to blame on our p^rt, if wee lulfcr not our fckics euerie man feeke to fpoilc his neighbour to in- tobeoueriuled by him , fceinghc fheweth him- richehimfelfe with his goods, if we be fofpiteful fclfe fo gentle and amiable towardcs vs. as to eate vpone another without any caufe: And forthcfecor.d pointlet vs matke, that muft we not bee condemned dubblc ? Yescer-30 although no neccflirie can excufe olirfinrcs: tainly. Now then, feeing that men of warre are yetnotwithfi:.nding thefe are the more to bee tomnilaiihded to paffe without making fpoilc, 8c condcmneJ.'which oftcnd vnconftrained by any withoutoffering any trouble or cxtorfion: Ictvs extremitie. Ashcwe jlfapooremandcaJevn- learnethatv/eare much more commaunded to confcionably whthhe hath not wherewith to walkc vprightly & iulHy .without doing any out- liue, ne knoweth where to become : yet (hall he rage or any pilling and polling, feeing that God bee condemned: (and if a thecfc be punilTiiblc giueth vs steater meanes to auo;de it. Thus ye before men , much mote reafon i:. 1; y he lliould fee the eftcft of tliat which wee haue to bcarc in be fo before God;)And wlut ili:il the man bee to remembrance. * whom"'God hath E;iu;n whei with to maintainc And nowe for a conclufion here is made a re- 40 himfelfc,ifhefa]ltopiHing&pollinc,:ndbeiie- liearlallwhatGODhad done for this people. uerfatilhed,but is catching and fnarrhing on all The Lorde thy Gad ( faieth Mofei ) haih ledihet in lldes,and hath no rt gard of Gods LIcfling,but is the xi/ildcrnejje : he hath feddc thee with Manna: alwaies thecuiiic,fi!ching, & deceiuing •■ Such a thouhadftnotany natural waterto dnnke,but ma is thf more to be abhorred,& wee mullcon- Godgaueitthee out ofthedfie rock: tliounee- cludey a horrible vegcance is prepared forfich dedft not any money to buy thee clothes with- as haue oftendcd fo wilfully'. Nowe then let vs all, ortopayc for thy charges as thou wentcft: marke.v when God giucthvs whcrw to fuftaine andisitnotreafonnowthat this goodntffe and &maintaincourfc!ues,hiswilistolcadvsthcr- iuft dealing flrould caufethee todealereafona- by to be thcloumgtr to our neighbours ,& to do bly with thofe by whom ihoupafleft ? For the jo no man any harme or wrong. And 16 ye ke that peoplemighthaue replied, Yes marrie, but wee Gods blelTiiiges ought to be inftiuiftiohsto vsj haue not wherewith, wee haue bene a long time to make vs hue vprightly , without attempting in the wildernelfc,thcre were no mines of golde any tiling againft our duDe,or v/ithouc troubling orfilucrthere,weeamcdnotapenny thefe,nei- of any bodic.This isitthatwehauc torcmem- thethaiiewee had-any trade of niarchaundife berinthefecond place. ThereftcannotbccdiC- whereby to get any thing. But Mofcs anfwereth patched as now.and therefore it Ihalbe refcrued hereunto, Ccnfider howe the Lorde thy God till to morrowe. hath gouerned thee. As if he fliould fay, ye haue Now let vs kncde downe in y prefencc of our none excufe at all : for ye haue wherewith to pay good God with acknowledgement of our faults, and content euery man. Andwhy ? Formthe 60 prayinghinitomake vs (otbfcelc thciti, as wee Kvilderncffe ye (pent not any whit of the fpoile may returne to him with true repentance. And thatye brought with you out of Egypt : ye were againe forafmuch as he vouchfafcth to maintein not drmento buie bread, vittcHes , apparell, or vs nowe in peace , let vs praye him to conunue any otherthing. So then, nowe that you arc the lame fauour towardes vs , and not fuifet atthe point to pofleflc the land that God hath vs to bee aifaylcd , lead wcc doe wrong or promjfedyou , ye flioulde bee too vnthankcfiill harme to any bodie,and fo open a gap to fuch as F J fcekc gg The i2.SbrmonOf loHN Caivin feeketofwallowevsvp, by prouoking them a- withal let vsfecke to feme men to the ntermolt eainftvs: but rather that our mildneffe may - ofourpower/eekingpcace&friendfhipwithafl make them to fit (till though they were willing nien,till our good God haue rid vs^from all bat- to bee dooing with vs. And thercwithall , our tcls of this world , to take vs into y endlcfle reft good God grauntvs alfo the grace tofightin which hehath promifedvs. Thatitmaypleafe fuch wile agamft our fpirituall enemies , aswcc him to graunt diis grace, not onely covsjbuc may get the vpper hand of them by his power. alfo,&c. Let vs then bee giuen wholly that way , and tlier- On Fry day the xxvj . of Aprill. 1 5 5 5. Tte trvelfth Sermon, which is the feconi vfon thefecond ^japter. 8 Then paflcd we by our brethren the children of Efau , that dwell in Scir, by the way of the wildernefTe of Elath, and of Afion-gaber: then turned wc , and went in the way of the wilderncfTe of Moab. 9 Then fai^e the Lord vnto me, trouble not Moab , neither prouoke him to battell : for I will not giiic thee any pcccc of his land to pofTcfTe, bicaufc I hauc gi- uen Ar in polTeflion to the children of Lot; 10 The Emians dwelt there before, which were a great people and many in nomber,and tall as the Enakims. 11 And likcwifc they were counted Giantes as the Enakims, and the Moabitc* called them Eminx, 12 Likewifc inSeir dwelt theHorians aforctimes. But the children of Efaa draue them out , and dcftroyed them before them , and dwelt therein their ftead, like as Ilrael hath done in the land of their poflcflion, which the Lord hath giuca them. 13 Then faid I,now then , get ye vp,and goe yc oucr the riucr Zarcd. And wee Vvent ouer the riuer of Zared, 14 And the time wherein wee trauailed from Cades barne vntill wee paflej the riuer of Zarcd,lafl:ed eight and thirtie yeeres,euen vntill the whole generation of the men of warrc was confumed from among the hofte , as the LordcGod had fworne vnto them, 15 For the hand of the Lord was againft them , to deftroy them from among the hofte,vntill he had confumed them. 16 And it came to pafTejthat when all the men of warre were confumed from among the people, 17 Then the Lord fpake vnto MofcSjfaying: 18 This day fhalt thou paffc the borders of Moab by Ar, 19 And come to the children of Ammon , whom thou flialt not befiegc , nor prouoke them : for I will not giue thee any poflcflion in the land of the children of Ammon,bicaufcI hauc giuen it in pofleflion to the children of Loth, 2 o This land alfo was counted a land of Giantesifor Giantes dwelt in it aforc- times : and the Ammonites called them Zomzomins : 21 Agreatpcopleandmanyinnonibcr,andtallastheEnakims. ButtheLord deftroyed them before them* Andfo they pofleflcd it and dwelt there in their ilead: 22 Likeashehaddoheforthechildrcnof Efati that dwell inSeir, when he deftroyed the Horims before them : by reafon whereof they poflcftcd their land, and dwelt there in their ftcad euen vnto this day. 23 Alfo the Caphthorims that came out of Caphthor, deftroyed the Euims that dwelt in Hazerin cuen vuto Ga2a,and dwelled there in their ftcad* Lik« Ike as ycfterday wcc fawe that :hc ch jdrcn of iGracl were com- maunded to paffe by the Coun- trie of Edom without doing any wrong to the inhabitantes , bi- caufc there was kinrcd betwixt them , inafmuch as theydefcendcd of Efau la- cobs brother : fo nowe they be willed to palTe by VponDevteronomie. Cap. 2, (Sy winneth to day loofeth to morrow. And this is not done by haphazardjbut: cur Lord giueth Sa- tan the bridle,who prouokcth and inforccth the wicked to kill one another , and to knocke one another vpon the heades. For God vfcth them asSmithcs-,ashefaithbyhis PiophetZachane. Zach.i.io. But yet herein wee haue a good kfibn, which is, that when a Prince moueth warre, he ir.uft con- fider wel againft whom he doeth it.and whether the borders of Moab and Ammon, without doo- ing them any hurt or harme , bicaufethat they lo God do giue him entrance orno, or clfe the end alio were of kinne to them. For the Moabites & Ammonites came of Loth:and God would haue die cliildren of Hrael to acknowledge it (lill.And herein wee haue to note , that here againe God tried the obedientneffe of his people . For the children of Ifrael had languifhcd nowe a great *vhJc alrcadie : and although they had bene fed by Gods free goodneile , inafinuch as Manna was giuen them dayly from heauen : yet not- ofitmuftncedesbe cuvfcdofGod. And hereunto Mofcs addeththecaufe why the people of Ifrael might not take any thing fro the Moabites. for it is tin Lordi ( faicch he) thtt Deut.i z.t. haih giuen thtm the iandto poffejfe. Yefterday it was declared .that God did cafi out his lynes ouer all the world , and that the partitions were made by him : infomuch that Principalities, Kingdomes, ScCommon weales haue not any thing of them Withllanding ifwee lookc vpon their trauell.thc so felues,but for that he will haue the world to bee time thereof might fceme verie long to them, & they might haue bene exceedingly wearieotit. Nowe againeGod commaundctli them to paflc on their way,paying for their mcate and drinke, and not to take any bootie nor to fccke any pro- fite or aduantage,but to goe by intreatancc not- withftanding that they could haue vfed force. This might haue bred a newe hartburning a- mong them. Howbeit forafmuch as they had fo gouerned. Therefore when any man goes a- bout to chaunge the borders that God hathfet: he doeth as much as he can to violate the order of nawrc.and the end thereof muft needes bee curfed. Were this marked throughly ,wee {hould not fee fo many garboyles as are intheworlde. For men thinke not that they ought to yceldc any account vnto God. And in very deede they thinke not that God medleth with the gouer- beenewel tamed with afHidions : they yeelded jo ningofmen. When they haue gotten any vic- thsmfelues the more plyable as was declared yefterday. And therein wee fee what the fruite ofchaftilementis. When God hath once pul- led downe our pride, and taught vs to bearc his yoke : wee can {toopc to obey him , and wee will make no greats doe of it. But vntill thattime, ournecke is fo ftiftc as wee can no ikill to yeelde to any right or reafon . Ye fee then that one point which we haue to marke.is that God tried tone, they make bonfires for ioy , & they thankc God with folemne proceffion : but it is not for that they thinke fo, orfor that they be fully per- fwaded of it: it is but for vaineglorie that they doi it. For if they meant to fhewe that God was on rhcirfiderthey fhouldlay downe their pride in fathering all things vpon their owne power , or vpon their good fortune. Yet notwithftanding it woul^bee thought a very ftraunge thing nowe here the obedience of his people, by forbidding ^o adaycs, ifamanflioulde fay to them thattakc them to make warre vpponthe Ammonites or Moabites. Andhcre Moles alledgeth the felfe fame reafo again, which I expounded yefterday jntrcating of Mount Scir and oftheCounaey of Edom. TouPiallmtfrouolfthe Moabites, faith he. And why? For Gidwillnot giueyouiheir lardtofof- fejji. As if he fliould fay , it is not lawflill for you to attempt any thing, which God doeth not a- uow.and giue you Icaue to doe. Nowe it is ccr- taincthathewillnotfufFeryoutoprolper,ifyou jo that kfion well warres in hand,Be well aduiled : for if your caufc be not iuft,lawftill,and allowed of God,fo as you haue fure and infallible wimeife that you were inforced to make warre, and that God hath rea- f hcd out his hand vnto you and /hewed you the way • all your furniture muft needes turne to your owne ouenhrowing. If a man fhould fay fo to them , they would thinke he did them great wrong : but yet were it for their behoofc to mark alTaile the Moabites j and therefore forbearc them. Andfoletvs markewell, thatluch as make warres vnongfullyandfrowardly , confidernot that their ambitionand couetoufnelfc ihallbee curfedof Godinthe ende,and that all their pre- paration muft come to mine & confuiion. True it is that fuch as take warres in hand vpon a bra- ueriejftiall diuers times haue great viflories and FuitherLt vsmarke , that this muftferuc vs for a comfort. For ifwee bee fure that God hath called vs into the place where wee bee, and that wee hue there in his femice :wchaueherea pro- mife , that if any man come to aflaile vs , howe great force fo euer our enemies bee of,althougli they come as a tempeft that were like to deftroy and marre all : yet notwithftanding wee ftiall be maintained by the hand of God. Nowe then if winne many Countries : howbeit that is not hi- go our Lord take vsfo into his protcftion, andtd- caufe God beareth them any fauour, bur bicaufe he me: ntth to punifti men , fomctime the one andfometimetheoiher/oascucry oneofthem (hill haue his turne. And in good Iboth wee fee that the warres which are made now adayes, are like the game of the Barrjas, wherein he that lethvsthat wee dwell in any coiintrey at his ap- pointment ; ye fee we may wel alfure our fclucs, and dcfie all our enemies. Contranwife , if God hft to forfake vs : wee bee vndone , there fliall needc no great force toouerthrowe vs. There- fore let vs Icarnc to fubmit our fclucs coiinually F4 w t% The 12, Sermon Of Io«N Galvin to the tuition of our God , and to pray him to then that thcfe nations arc no better worcliic bee our defence. Andwhcnweefeegreatforccs thantobee counted Hariottssbirdesboin" in a prepared againftvs , Ictvsflec to his promife, brothclhoufe : but that they wcrcyct in more and waite tobeefuccoured of him at our ncede. horrible phght , becaufc their begetting was a- Thusyc fee that the applying ofthisdoiSrinc to gainft all order and humane honcflie. Andyec our vfe,conlifteth not in thinking that only prin- notwithftandingjGodwiUhauc the children of CCS arc taught thereby what they fhould doe:for Ifracl to acknowledge their kinred w them , not the meane people alfo arc to be comforted thcr- for any honor or worthincllc fake , but onely bi- by,forafmuch as they may fee thereby that God caufe of Lot.For although he werefobeallly drij- 'defcndeth themashisfiocke. lo ken,as to be bereft ofdifcrcti6:yct did God c6- Alfo let vs call to minde what was rchcarfed tinue his goodncs towardes him , and therefore herCjConcerning kinred. In deede it was treated vouchfafed he to fauour his linage & the ciiildre ofat length ycfterday : howbeit forafmuch as that came ofhis race. And therein we fee ^ God Mofes fpeaketh of it againe, in making mention had not an eye to the cxcellencie of thofe nati- of the children of Moab and of their brethren ons to whom he (hewed himfelfe fo bcncficiall, the Ammonifes:?,ndfecing that God fencth be- but y he did all ofhis own; free mercic.Likcwife fore his peoples eyes the kinred which they had alfo as touching the children of Ifrael , if God with thefe nations : Let vs marke y wee muft liue had looked for noblencflL: to moue him to rtiew peaceably and brotherly one with another , bi- himfdfe fo gratious towards them, and to dealc caufe God hath knit vs together. Indeedewec lo fo friendly with them: what would hauc come of (hal not all be kinffolkc in refpeft of the flerti:buc it ? For y chiefe ftockc among them was y tribe yet is there fuchaEgenerall] vnion among man- of luda. And wjience cam:Pharesand liisbrc- Gc,jS,i;,aji kinde , as wee ought not at any time to bee (iich thcr Zire? Eucn of inccft too.For luda tliinking ftraungcrs one to another, y there fhould not be to hsue medlcd withnharlot as common asa (bme communicating togetlrer : & fpecially for- Colmanhedge, had to do with his cvvne daugh- afmuch as we be all created after one likenes,& tcrinlawe,& played the heart as dogs and buli we fee as it were our own fle(h& bones in other doe.Yefeethenit wasfogreatavi!lanie,y£iierj folkes perfons.in refpeft whereof it behoueth vs ' the Heathen men would hauc bene aih.-.mcd of EfxjS./. to praftife this faying ofthe Prophet Efay J that it.TheythatneucrkneweofGodnorofReiigi- wemuflnothate our own flcfti.Butbefides this, 30 on, coijd not haue doneworle. To bee (liort^ic there is an image of God which (hineth in all was ynough to haue made al his oflpring to hauc ■ fiienrandisit notreafon thatwee ihoulddoeit bin auite rooted out. Andyctnowithrtadingwc ft)muclilionour,astoreucrenceit wherefoeuer feetnatDaindcamcofthjfamerace, and that it (hcwethitfelfe? Againe feeing Godhathcal- itwasGods will to ftnthlh thefeate of?, king- led vs to the knowing of him , and will haue vs dome in his tribe,yca & that .no: of an earthly & to call vpon him as our father , and hath vouch- tranfitorie kingdome oneiy, but of fuch a one as fafed that wee flioulde bee marked withBap- fhould beeatigureof thecuerlaftinglaiigdomc tifmc,and be gratfcd into the bodie of our Lord that bringeth vs to hcauen ,infomuch that euen lefus Chrift , and that he cpeneth vs his king- our Lord lelus Chiift cair.t: of the fame ftocke. N dome,to take vs in thither as into our common 40 Andfowcefcc(aslfa!dafore) thjtGod fjughc jnheritaunce : muft it not needes be that wee be not any worthmes in this behalfc,as who /hould worfcth.in beaftes,ifyetfor all this, wee will fay that this people was of more dignitie and notbeekindc hearted one to another, tobeeas noblcneirc than all the reft of the worlde , and brethren,and to abftaine from all anoyance and therefore he would make much of them. No no; extorfion ? And herewithall letvs marke alfo, but he powrcd out the infinite ticafurcs of that the neercr God bringeth men togcther,and hisgoodneflc vpponthem. Yea and the bafe- maketh any neighbourhood between them. 'the nefTeofthcchildicnof Ifr.iel,caufcd Gods in- more readie ought they to be to doe feruiceone cfHmable goodrteflc to bee percciued the bet- to another : and thatiftheydoeitnotjitis asa ter^andgaue thegrcatergloflcvntoit.Thcnlet defying ofGod and nature. jo vsconfider.that whereas here is mention made But novve letvs fee what kinred there was be- ofthe Moabitcs and Ammonites: G O Dalled- tweenethcchildrenofIfrael,andtheMoabites geththemnotas inwaye of exalting the thing and Ammonites. Truly the originalof thefe two thatisinman.ortoput inballauncc, their de- peoples was of inceft.fo as they couldnotboaft fertcs,their qualities, or any renowne of theirs of their Pedegrec . And in deedc the verye which they haue gotten by their owne trauell. names of them were euerlafting marks of their He meanethno fuch thing. But for.ifmuch as fhame. For whatis Moab tofay} Of my father. itpleafcd him to loue Lot, and to continue his What? that the daughter had conceiuedchildc mercietowardeshun&hislinage, nntwithlhin- by her owne father ? Yea: and that (yefce)was ding the foule and outragiuus faiiltthathe had abcaftly and curfed deede. And againe , what 60 committed : Therefore is it his will that y Moa- jsmeantby Ammon?[Itisasinuch to fay; as] bites and Ammonites fhall fldlmioythe hndes 0/ wyne oirn« f 'Of '< , that is to faye , of mine that he had giuen them, ownebloud : for helllfo was borne ofthe other And letvs note further, that although God daughter, who had madehcr fatherdninkcn as bellowed his blcfllngcs folaigtly vpponthofc her fifter had done , and fo concerned by him two Nations : yet they were iicucr the better likcwife.-andaU chiswas againll nature. Ye fee for ic.but became fomuch y more vncxcufablc VpoN DeVTEROMOMIE. CAP.i. 69 mUie ende For furely their vnthankefulndle bcenc none other alvance nor promife : yet ftewedit (Ufe 11 that they kncwc not that God ought that to hauc fiiffifed to maintame peace fparedthem Let vsmarke well then that Gods and agreement betwixt them. But contran- prcferuingof vs in this worldc, and his deten- wife they became Scorpions to ftine the chil- »ling of vs with his hande and Ins making ot vs dren of Ifracl • and when they couldc not make to (cape our enemies handes , and his fuftcinmg warre againft them themfelucs , they linked c, , ofvs through his fauour, is not all [that wee in with their enemies, and procured them ma- ''"'^•"'■'J' ought to dchrc]. For tlic hauingofall this will me quarrels . And whcnloeuer any aduerfiuc Abd.ii. bootc vs nothing at all, ifweewantcheprinci- befell them , they playdc the barkina curies pall: which IS, that God bee mercUull to vs, ^^ and made hew andcrie after them . as wee fee that wee call vppon him , that wee reterre our is fpokcn of them by the Prophetes and the lelues wholly vnto him,and thatwcknowelum Pfalmcs: Foritisfaide , Lorde remcmberthe P'"'»'''377' to bee our father, not to maintainevshecre for children of Edom, which were the neerdtof atwoorthrecdayesonely: (forthishfeisbut kinne vnto ihcm : for they came ofEfau and a bttl: iliadowe that ghdeth away out of hand): wcrecirctimcifedas wellas the children of lira- buttobeeoureucrlaftingSauiour,andthatwee el.theybore the badge of Gods couenaunt walke in fuch wife vndcr his awe , as wee not as houfeholde folkcs ofhis Church : and yet for only looktobe guided byhim for a little while: allthat.in thedayonerufalem theycryedcur but alfo that heefhould gatlier vs to him in the vpponthemvpponthem,rootc them out (o as ende , fo as when hee hith made vs topafie 10 one ftone may not abide vp6 ancchei. Thus fee through this worlde . at the laft weeiliall haue ye fo greate a'crueltie , that euen the enemies a muchbctter inheritance which is prepared tor woulde haue becnc more courteous ,than thcfc vs m hcauen . When wee once knowe tliis,wcc which had caufe to hauebecnelb.and outhc haueall. And that will make vs to inioy thefe tohaucbeene asbrothcrs . As muchis to tec earthly blefllngs to our weltare . Otherwilc they fa,dc of Moab . For when the poore Icwt s were (hall bee turned into a curfe : Infomuch that put to any afterdecle and fleddc vnto Moab in they to whome GOD hath done moft good, hope to haue fome refuge there : they were be- fhalbc founde moft blamCTVorthie before him. trayedby thefe to whome they had conucied And why ? Becaufe they haue abufed them . For themlelucs . And therefore doth God com- ivee doe wickedly corrupt all Gods benefites, 30 plaine of fuch crueltie faying: Moab, tliou wart Era.itf.4' when wee bee not Icddc and prouoked by them the couert of my people , but when they came * ' CO honour him for them , and to putourfelucs to thee, thou draueft them away, yea and d;l- whoUy into his handes, to flee to him for refiigc. tcft more crue% with them th.in their enemies. Letvs then put tlus dodrine in vre:andwhile That was the recompcnce which thofc nations* ivee pafletlirough this worldc.letvs not dcuour yceldedwhom God had fo greatly borne vvith- the benefites that God fcndeth vs , to become all , and to whom hee had (hewed fo great kind- brute beartes here , pooring with ourmuzzels nelFe : but yet ought not that vnkindndle of vpponthegrounde: but rather let vsjiftvpour thejrs.to make thechuldren of Ifraeltofliewe headestohcauenwarde,andconlIdcrthatGod themfelucs vncurteous towardes them . For caEeth vs to him, and that it is to nopurpofe^o their fparing of them after that fort, incicafed to haue had fome earthly profpcritie, except their condemnation the more , I meanc them wee goe further . that is to witte vnto our that had fo ill acknowledged the bcnefite.And G O D , to bee knitte vnto him for euer. Thus therforc GOD failed not to punilh fuch nechc- yeefeewhat wehaiietobeareinminde. jje. . Yeaandlct vs marke alfothat the twonaci- ^ Nowe then wee bee taught, fiiftnot topafTc ons which are fpoken ot hecre , fhewed them- whether men acknowledge y good that we hauc feluestoo toovnkinde, inyeelding farre other done them or no . For albeit that wee may rewarde to the children of Ifrael than was to be feeme to lofe the thing that wee (hill haue done- looked for . Wee fee that the children of If- yet let itfuffife vs that GOD allowcth our o- raelpafled by them Cquietly,;] paying readie ^^ bediencc , in that hee faieth,bee kindeharted monic for all thinges , yea euen for the water towardes all men . An-l when wee Ihall hauc m- Jhat they dranke . The Moabites therefore deuoured to doe good to all men, without hur- and the Ammonytes not onely had no caufe to ting of any man : if men acknowledge it not, complaine , feemg they were not greened nor but doe the contraric vnto vs : vtrie well , Ice troubledby the children of Ifrael, nor receiucd vs not paflc for it, but let vs beaic thcir'vn- any harme or lolTe by them: but alio ought to thanketiilneffc patiently. For why ? Wee haue confidered thus , Beholde.Godswillisto hauc fcrued GOD , who will not forget what ftahliihc the brotherhood that is betwbct them wee haue done . Therefore if tlie worlde bee andvs, and that ought wee to print well in our fct vppon fuch frowardnefle, as wee may bee ' mindes . In fo mucti that although they had 60 occafioned to feele fome griefe and impatien- had neither ftories nor Chronicles: yet ought cic : yet mull wee ftill keepe on our courfc that to haue bcene a thingof renowne among which God hath commaunded vs . Marke that them, and the report of it ought to hauebeenc for one point, common from father to fonne.io the ende they And it is a verie necdfiil lefTon in thefe dayes. .might haue applied andindeuourcd themfelucs For if we ftioiild fal to reckning of our cards, bc- tooiajntajnc one another. Though there had fore we wouldlhcw any kindncs one to another: what 7(5 The 12. Sermon Of John Calvin. what a thing were that ? When fhould a man be- gin to doe good? f neuci:] for we fee how al the worldisfocorniptcdjasis picifullto thinke. It feemeth that wee caft our good turncsinto the throtcsofwooluesormaddedogges, and that it ib nothing clfc but a prouokingof their malice more and more, which fecke to abufe our fimpli- citic.Butyetforall that.itbehoueth vs to hauc an eye to that which God commandeth. countries by the hande of God . As if he fhould fay, there was no force in thenifelues to con- Ufirii,e fuch a feare they forwards without attempting any tmng Mid ternur into thtfe feopUt hiaru , m they (halt be 10 the contrarie . Butthevnfaithfull takeatoy difmayed alien ihty doc but hcarevf thefameof the in their heade, and when they hauc hide their 6q lewei. Hecre wee (ce that God holdcth mens plattCjthey conclude to doe whatfocuer feemes heartcs in liis hande, to weaken them or ftrcng- bcft to themfclucs , witliout inquiring of Gods then them at his pleafurc . will, and thereupon they fticke at nothing. In True it is that men imagine themfcluesto fo doing there is nothing but prefumptuoufnelfe haiicthis vertue of manlmeffe in themfclucs. tooucrthrowethemfclucs.But the true founda- And the verie caufc why they defpife God, tionistohaueGodpromifc,andtorcftvpoiitlic is that euerie of them makes his account to Vpon De vteronomie. Cap. 2. 7j compafle his matters by his owne power. But out enemies fearefull and difmayed , wee muft fofarreoff are the common people trom ha- confldcr howe it is G OD that hath difcoura- uing any ftoutneiic or manhood in them , with- ged them , and not impute any whit to our out that God giuc it them ; that God holdeth e- owne prowcfie , or to aught clfe that in \ s : but "■"■'' uen the heartcs of kinges and princes" in his yeelde the whole prayfc tlicrtof to him that handc, and although they feeme to themlelues oughttohaucit. And on the contrane parte, to haue much more ftrcngth and courage than when wee percciuc our enemies to bee like others: yet doeth God make them to flip^away fiendes, fo as there is none other likclyhood likewatcr, when hcethinkes good. So then let but thai wee ihalbe fwallowcd vp: when we fee vsniarkewcll.thatitis notin any m.nspower lo a defperate boldcneirc in them foas they goe tobee valiant, vnlcffe GOD ftrengthen him. forwardellill whatroeucrcomeof it: [finally] And therefore wee may applic this doctrine to when wee ice them , all on flaming tire after double vfe. The one is that although a man fee thatfort:yet letvs not bee difmaved tlicreat. himfelfe to be weak ,he muft not be out of heart For wh)? God will make them to fokc away like pfji > ^.i a forit:forthereisarcmediercadie forit.ifwelift waterwhenitcommeth tothepinch. yo.5. to feekeit.I fay we muft gather ftrength of mind Nowe then , as for this dmelifti geetifh- byfeekingitinGod.yeaeuenwhenfoeuerwcbe neffe which the wicked haiie to cueiihrowe hindered to do our duetie for want of courage. Gods children withall , and to cumber and As for example : God perchaunce callcth vs to trouble them eucrie where : let it not put vs glorifie his name , hee flioleth vs out from this 10 out of heartc , though they purfi'e vsr.eucrfo vvorlde, accordingly as it is his will that eucry deadely. For why ? GOD will prouidc for manihoulde renounce himfelfe, and that wee vsin fuch wife, as hee will make thofe ahaidc ftioulde forfakeour owne luftcs. Noweweefee ofourrtiadowes, which ieemcas nowetohauc howepoftiblcitis to obey, yeaandweeknowe their throates open to fwallowvsvp , and to bee howe farre all our abilite ftretcheth . Againc,we as gulfes of hell . God will worke after fuch fee alio a great number of hazards , and the di- a fafhion in that behalfe , as they ftalljiot bee uell will face vs with this inconuenience and worthietobe compared with httle babes. rhatdaungcr,whercatweftialbeasgoodasdif- Let vs markc then , that feeing it istolde mayed, fo as we ihall not dare to ftirreonefin- vs that God holdeth mens hearts in his Jiandes gertoobeyGod and to execute hiscommaun- 30 wee muft alwayes rather lookj to Irim, than reft dement. And what is the reafon? It is for that vppon any. thing hecre bclowc, whcnfocuer we be too taintharted.Now itisnotforvs to wee fee any ftoppcs that may putvs infeare. fticke ftill in tliis myre ; but wee muft feeke for And in fo doing wee ftiall neuer bee confoun- ftrcngth where we can finde it. Letvs confider ded. (fayl)thatGodisableynough to amende the Mofes addeth moreouer , That hee fine to faintneffe of heart that holdeth vsbacke, yea & Sehonviih wordet of peace , faying :Le:vs fafe which maketh vs to fhrinke back from his word, through ihy countrie , wee ml! fay for otir breadeand andto turnc headefromit. Yce f;e then how watet^, weeirill doe iheetioharme , wee vilt faffe wee ought to take warning to flee vnto GOD ft- forfake vs not , but rather continue the grace ly aflayled by the people of Ifrael. This there- thathee hath put into vs , and confirme the 60 fore is no itrpediment , but rather a mecne fame vntill wee haue finiftied our courfe. And whereby God ordeyned his people to haue law- thusycc fee that wee bee warned to feeke con- full warre with Sehon and all his fubicftes. tinually for newe flxength . notwitliftanding Where as God had faid-, I\filIgit,cyoutheland'e tliatwefeele that our Lorde hath ftrengthened inpopjjion: it was reqiiifitc that the maLccof • VS alreadie. Sehon ftioulde bee difcoucred and bewra)cd, Nowc the leconde vfe is , that when wcc fee that it might appeare to the worldc , that the G i people ^5 The 13. Sermon Of.ToHN C'AiviN i^ouiur.c "^^ b i.K-r-ilicie farther rmeouor vs fYes : And this textisynough » ouerDlus , and cxtcndca nis UDcraucic tuni".!- ' , j r ii,';i,-u r^c.,i c tWh.prom,fe mad= to Abraham did con- ft?rpethemouthes ofaUiuch ra^^^^^^^^ me AndchercforeSchonwasnotasyctde. °^^^°T°"h f^ fmc^^^^^^^^^ ca^cdtohecancnem^etochepcopleofKraeU. '"j'^^- '^ V^'^= "^^f ? ,h1^n^rtr r o ^ Andiftheyfl.oaldchau=defi/dhimasancnc-,„ vvJl to take or rcfufc 'I'f^l'^'^OD' mu: atthefirftdaih, wkhout §.uing himknow- fayc* to them , and rfiac the thing ,t felfc-_ hdte o the warrc it had beene a diforderly were not vndetermmed : K were m vame to, Ende of dealing. Thefe thmges then, agree preach.or to .yke exhortarions.o^ toprofer th.iappcn i [ Nay.J , monfaChionofall .But fuch forecaftiscuifcd, ,0 ^o'^s was well afluredthat Sehonwoulde noc ' ' whenwethinketoamendethethingsthatGod obey it : and I enter not y-et fo faric as to dif- ■ commaundethvs.byourowne policies and in- culfe whereof that proceed.-d . It fliall^bce , j uentions Mofeswentnot thatwaytoworke.hc declared m the ncxte Lcd.ure , that GodhaJ ^ MowedfimplieGods will. hardened Sehons hart ar,d that it was his will Butbythewayit may feeme vcrieftraunge, thantihouW belo. Ly'.ewife alfoitis fayd uu that G O D doeth fendc a meflage of peace vn- the pfalme , that God turned away the bane s PCa^5.»| toSehon andyet notwithftanding haddetcr- offuch asoth'.rmfe'.iadbinthepeoplesfnends, mined afore hande that it fhoulde not auayl: and that hee handened them in fuch fort , as him In this cafe all worldly pride muft ftoope, they could not abide to fpare them . But I will and confidcr Gods manner of dealing to- ^o not enter y'.;trofarre. I treatcas now but vp. ^ watdcsvs with fuch humiiitic, that where our ponthis poynt, shat G ODfcndeth meflages w'ttcs cannot reach vnto it , wee may honour to men in his owne name and authoritie : winch his incomprchenfibic fccretcs . Andccrces it notwithftanding fhall not preupileto reclaimc , is a text worthie of remembcrance when it is them. And why ? Becaufe that thofc to whom faide that G O D (or Mofcs by Gods authori- bee fpeaketh , are fet vppon euill aforehande: ; tie "1 fendcth vnto Schon to defire him to fuffer and there is none other thing to bee looked for, thcVop'c'°P''>ff'='S^"''y""'^^^""Shimand but that they (hall bee the more inflamed and : fliewine him the tiling that was for ,his wcl- waxc woorfe , at the hearing of Gods com- i fare • and yet notwithftanding that G O D had maundcmcnt . And thcrcfore(as I haue faidc fully' determined aforehande . that Sehon ^o alrcadie ) although it bee notfeemely to our j fliouldc make none account of It, but that hee humame reafon : yet muft wee humble our : Ihouldebce difcomfited and dcftroyed . This fclues and honour Gods fecretes . When wee may feeme ftraunge gcere to our imagination. finde thinges contrarie to our naturall reafon^ When men will needcsfcanne of Gods workcs is it mectc that wee ftioulde giue libertie to' and prouidencc according to their owne tea- our owne witte , to fay . Oho , I take it to bees fon- they {hall findc thinges to grudge at, eue- otherwife, and therefore it muft ncedesbclo? rie mrninc of a hande . And that is the caufe Noe : Let G O D rather haue die maiftcric, why venemous tongues rufli out noweadayes, and let vs become fooles that wee may bee and arenotalhamedtoblafphcmeGod.Whcn wife in him . For at that cndc mufte wee thereisany talkeof Gods I'ccrete ordmaunce, 60 beginne if wee will prohte well in GODS and of his difpofing of thinges in this worlde, fchoole. ,.,,. „ , after a manner vnknowen to vs . fo as we fhaU Wee mufte foUowe that which Saint P.iu I not comprchendc it vn'ull wee bee ridde of this tclletli vs , wWche is, that wee muft bee foole s flcftiofoursrthey ftorme atit. andrepyne a- inourfelucs, thatis to fay, wee muft not co- eainft GOD . And why? Becaufe the fame uet the curfed wifedome where with men lucoiounccth their capacitic . But if Gods iu- arc puffed vp . when they thinkc thcmfcJues ■ ■ ■ tCk i.Cor.^^il^ it3.e.f. VpoN Devteronomie, Cap.2, ^^ tobeertiarpewittedand wife ynough to iudgc God and not againft mortal! creatures : yet ot'Qdiuine] matters. Lecvs beware ofluch i- doeth their fuiic carnethem avvjytoproceedc niaginations, and ridding ourfelucs quite and ftiU. Wee fee it. Wee fee that whereas in the clcane of all felfeweening , let vs profite our time of blindnelle there was feme ciuill order, fclucs by Gods fhcwing of the thinges vrito vs and men were more bridled : nowe it feemcth which he liketh, and which are good in his fight. that all thinges are fet at Lbertie. This were a- Letvsthenlearne to frame our felucs wholly to ble to make Gods feruauntcs quite out of pati- his good will, for ifwee be counted to be fboles ence. But what for that > We niuft take courage and witleflc before men:it{hajbc butoffuch as asSaintPaule comfottcth vs. Hce faieth that iudge after their owne mother wit. lo whether Gods worde bring life or death to men, lf°'^'*' '*' Furthermore let vs niarkc , that when wee yetisitalwaycs a good and fwtete (auour be- ' haue fsarched things throughly ,wee lliall lindc fore GOD. True it is that Gods wordc of it that Gods fendingof his worde dayly vntofuch felfe (as (hall bee declared more folly hereafter) as receiueitnot, and are alreadie condemned isalwayes thefauourof life. For what is it that afore him : is not without caufc. Then is it vn- God ameth at , ifwee conf der his worde in ic certaine toys, that when Gods worde is prea- owne nature ? Thec.-ljingof menbacke to the chedjitis totheende to blmdc the reprobates cndethey might befaued. And yetforrlhhat andfuch as are vncorrigible : and yet for all wee fee by experience thu it is an od nir and' that,thatitisGods will to make them vnexcu- fauour of Death, infomuch as the wickid are fable. For commonly God referueth that know- lo ftrangled and choked with it , as ('^;one as they ledge to himfelfe , and when we bee fent of him doe but take the fent or fmell of it. They neede anddoepreachcin his name : wee cannot tell not to tafte of it nor to eatc ofit : if they doc Luc whether our labour (ball doe good or no. Hcc take the fent of it a great way of , it is poyfon to thcnwhichisappointcdtopreacheGodswoid, them, fo that the diucll carries them away, and ~ kiioweth nor ( when he hath done as hee was they fall to fretting and chafing agimft G O D: commanded ) whether his preachingfliall turne and all to their owne deftruflion. And do we fee TO the faluation or damnation of his hearers. that Gods word turncth into occafionof death. But yet for all that let vs labour ftill,and pray toagrcatnomberofmen'Yetmuft wee bee of G O D to vouchfafe to giue eiFcd to his word, good cheere, faieth S.Paul. And why ? Bicaufc thatitmay fo profite, as the wretched worlde jo itisagoodandlweetc fauour vntoGod, when may bee plucked backc from the deftruftion men are made vnexcufabl:. whereunto it s^octh. That is the marke which But nowe let vs come to declare how Gods weemuft fhootc at, and the thing which wee worde tendeth vntoLfe , and howe it hath thac haue to doe. Ncueithelefle fomttime GOD propertie : notwithft.nding that men through wrllihcvve vs beforeour faces , that his worde theirowne wickednelfe , doe turne it to their feruethto condemne the hearers , and to be- deadly condemnation . This is fufficiencl.- ex- reauethemofallexcufe. Wee feeitwas once prefcdinthatitisfaide . That AUfti [era a mtf- faidevntoEfay, Goe to tins people. Ajidwhat fagt of^ fence toSthon Kingofihi Amtmlytet . His todoe? Itwasin deedetocarie them the word defire thenisto abftaiiie from all anoyance, if otfaluation. Butyet tlierewithalitisfaide vnto 40 Sehoncoulde abide it. Nowe let vs fee to what him, Goe to harden this peoples heartes, goc endethe Gofpell is preached, and after what 10 ftcppc their cares, goe to fliut their eyes, and manner. Whatclfeis contained in it, but that to thicken their heaites, to make themvtterly God intendeth to bee reconciled to the world, paft recouerie : fori will not haue them con- as faieth Saint Paule in the fifth of the fcconde q uerr. Seeing then that the Prophet is fent with to the Corinthians ? Inasmuch then asG OD *" "'^''°' fuchcommiflion, asheknowech well that thofe fendethvstidinges of peace , foas his dehrcis to whom he fpeaketh, ftiallbut waxe the worfe to Ihewe himfelfe a father to all fuch as yeclJe for it : in what cafe is he? But what for tliat? Yet themfelues teachable vnto him , and our Lorde mufthe execute his comraifl'ion with all obc- lefusChriftis oftcredvsas the meaneto bring dience. It is not for men to enter into counfcll, jo vsagaineinto the loue and fauour of our God: and to take aduice in this behalfe according to it is furelya meffage of peace. And in deede their abilitie:no,but they miift fubmit them- the Gofpell is fo intituled , and not without fclues to G O D as I faide afore. Lookc what caufc. True it is tliat the lawe alfo was a mef- EpheCi'.i j, wasfaide to the Prophet, doeth (hewe it felfe fageof peace, asinrefpeciof the promifes : If dayly in efted. It might putvs oftentimes out wee lookc vppon the lawe fttiftly, as Saint Paul '^°""*'^' of patience , to fecthat the more that Gods fpeakes diners times of it : itwillbea very mef- worde IS preached, the more doeth the worlde lageofwrath. Butifweelooke vpon the promi- rufh foorth into all licentioufneife . For they fes that were made to the fathers of olde time: that confpire among vs againft GOD and his [wee Ihall finde that] euen from the beginning Gofpell : are in comparifonfarre worfe than the ^o of theworld, Godswillwas thatfinnetsfliould Papiftcs. The Papiftes haue fome deuotion knowe hismercic, and come vnto him. And with them : and although they bee growen bru- for that caufe is it faide that lefus Chrift brin- ti/h.ye^ neuerthelelle their chicfe intent is to geth peace, both to them that arc a farre oft ftrucGOD. Butas for the other fort, they bee and to them thac are necre hande, as frycth ftarke Diuels : and although they knowe and lee Saint Paule to the Ephefians : and he will haue icfuificjcntlyprooucd, thac they warre againft ittobse preached through the whole worlde, ^P''''*'7'' G 3 that ^8 The )3.Sermok Of IohnCaivin that Gods oncly deiire is to holde vs in his ]oue. Thus ye fee howc wee may finde faluation in theGofpcU. Nowc then wee fee , that Gods wordc confidcrcd initfclfc , is a commiflion of peace, funhering vs to be ioyned and made one with him , fo as wee may call vpon him and reft in his goodncfle. And the meane to haue this worde to redounde to our faluation , is this , if vveecanrcceiueit as wee ought to doe, accor- intent .- but sifo wee bee all Waffled generally, hi what wife we e ought to rcceiuc the uietlage that Godfcndechvs: namely that for as much as he ihcweth himfclfe (b gratious towardesvs^thac in ftcad of being our eneniie , as he might moft rightfully and luftly bee , he is contented to bee at one with vs , andtaryeth not till wee feckc peace at his hande , but feeketh attonemenc •ivithy^, notwithftanding thatheperceiue vsto Ron.i.iff. dingasSaint Paul treatcth thereof in thefirft lo beemadtomakcwarreagainfthim: wcelhould to the Romanes. And therefore the Minifters thf rof muft haue this confideration with them: Beholde , G O D fendeth raee : and what put- teth he in my mouth ? Peace, to offer it vntoall men , and to the ende that euen the wickedft fhould bee partakers of the fame meflage and vnderftand thatGOD feeketh them, Butyet for all that,wec knowe that this mcffage cannot prolitc all men. What mufV it doe then ? Itmuft notbeefo wretched and mahciousasto dragge backe fiom him.and to forfake that paffmg louc and fatherly kindnefle of his. Marke that for one point. Yet notwithftanding, whenwefccthatGod hath drawen vsto him, and that wee can finde in our heartes to let him vfe his mcrcie and goodncfle cowardes vs : then mufc wee knowc that the caufe why his worde hath had fuch en- make men vnexcufable. For what can bee faide to traimce into our hartes, and why wee haue bin to it, if God handle men out of hand as they dc- ferue ? Wee bee all damned by nature,we bring fuch an inhcritaunce of curiednelTc from our mothers wombe , as God might finkc vs at the iirft day , and wee couldc lay nothing at all for ourfelues. And forafmuch as there are a great nomber of people , which feeme to perifhcbuc through fimphcitie : therefore it is Gods will to conuift the whole worlde, to the end to take fubduedtohisobcdicnce: was for that he hath refburmcdvsbyhis holy fpirite. Let vs knowc that. And on the contrarie parte , when wee fee the rebcUioufneffc of the worlde , and howe men doc rancle againft the Gofpell , and arc puffed vp with pride toaduauncc thcmfeluesa- gainftGod : letvs confidcr that they bee loo- king glaffes which God fetteth before vs for our inftruftion , and that we slfo fhould be in the away all fcapes. Wee fee that when the Gof- Jo fame taking , ifGod had not pitied our froward- pell is preached , thofcwhome a man wouldc haue thought to haue bene well difpofcd , doe burft foorth, and their mahceis difcoucrcd and laide open , which was hidden before . The worlde fecth howe fewc are willing to ftoopeto take the yoke vppon their neckes : Nay, which tvorfc is , the world fees that they become ene- mies to it, fo as they can not bee ouerconie by any warnings : or elfe they become fo wilde hea neffe to correft it. Neuertheleflc , let vs vn- derftand, thatGoddalyethnot with vs in fen- ding vs his worde nowe adayes . And why ? For itholdethmenfo much the more conui- (Sed , inafhiuch as they become worfc thaa wilde beaftes , in that they wouldc notbyan^ meancs bee tamed for all his calling of them to him fo famiUarly , by meanes whereof their fiiame is fo much the more difcouered , fo as the iied,as a man can not tell on which Itde to catch 40 worlde knoweth what was hidden within them. holde of them. Seeing then that when GOD hath fent men the mcffage of peace after that fort , they on their fide dcfire warre and feeke it, and can not finde in their heartes to yeclde and fubmit them felues vnto God , but will ncedes bee enemies vnto him : wee fee that the prea- ching of the Gofpell to fuch as arc vttcrly paft recouerie, is not vnauailablc. And why ? For elfe their mahce had bene viiknowen , and Gods lufticc (houlde not bee fo apparant , nor haue fo jo great brightneffe, as when the wicked abide ftill vnconuerted and coulde not bee fabdued for oughtthat couldbe done. Nowe hereupon what haue wee to doe ? This doftrinebelongcth not onely to fuch as are mi- nifters of Gods worde , to make them to goc through with their calling, fo as they may fhut their eyes when God is to bee obeyed, and pro- ceedeftillin preaching his worde though it bee tnifufed, and turned dcane concrarietoCods ^0 heaucnlyfacher,&c which coulde not haue bene pcrceiued other- wife.Seeing then.that we fee this:lct vs learn to fayeucr, that Gods worde is good and holy, and diat jt (houlde bee the very foodc of hfe,if n-tcn turned it not to vcnim and poifon thiou^ their owne naughtineffc their owne nauehti- neffc : by rcafon whereof tlieir fault is fuch , as the blame thereof can inno wife be fathered vp- pon God. Now let vskneele downein the prefence of our good God with acknowledgement of our faults,praying him to make vs feelethem bet- ter, yea euen fofarreas to bring vsto true re- pencanccjthat being fubdued by his correftions, wecmaylcame to beforiefor ourfinnes , and for the imperfeftions y are in vs , vntill he haue throughly clenfcd vs of them , and dchuered vs quite from all the temptations of the flelh and the world. And fo let vs all fay , Almightie God On Vpon Devteronomie^ Cap.2» 75* On Munday thevj. of May. 1555. The xiiij, Sermon,which h the fourth vpo» thefecoKd Qjafter, 26. 27, 28. 29. Then fcnt I mefl'engers,&c. 30 But Sehon King of Hefebon would not lee vs paflc , for the Lordc thy God had hardened his fpirit,and made his heart ftubborae , to the ende to dehucr him into thy hand,as itappeareth ac this day. 31 And the Lorde faide vnto mec , bcholde,! haue begunne to giuc Sehon and his land before thee ; goe to, take pofTeflionjthat thou niayeft poflcfle his land, 32 And Sehon came out againft vs, he and all his people to fight in lafa : 33 And the Lorde our God dcliuered him before vs , and wee fmote him, and his fonnes,and all his people, 34 And at the fame time wee tooke all his Cities,and deftroyed the men , v\'o- raen,and children in them, and we left him nothing remainmg, 3 5 Sauing the CattcU which we tookc to our felues, and the fpoyle of the Ci- ticSjwhich we tooke, 36 From Aroer which is vppon the banke ofthc Riuer Amon, and the Citic which is vppon the Riucrjand vnto Galaad,there was not any Citie that could de- fend it felfe from vs. For the Lord our God had giuen them all into our hands. 57 Onely thou flialt not come neere the land of the children of Ammon, nor vnto any place ofthc Riuer Iabok,nor vnto the Cities on the hill,nor vnto any of all thofe places which the Lord our God forbad vs. Eehauefeene heretofore howc God being determined to har- ds Sehon.lettcd not tor all thic to caufc him to be flimmoncdj to the end he fhold haue let the children of Ifracl pafle without dooingthem harmc , and without (hewing him- felfe to be their enemic.And therewithal! it hath bene (hewed, that GOD will fendc mcflagc of peace vnto men : & yet notwithftanding know- cth that the fame (hall ftand them in no (lead, but to make them vnexcufable. After the fame maner, the Gofpell is preached to a great nom- ber, who notwithftanding doc but become the worfe for it,and God knoweth right well that no Erofite (hall come thereof, but ihat they (hall cc rebellious ftill. Why then doeth hee call them to him } To bereaue them of all excufe, and to lay open their malice and vngodlinefle. Forfo long as men abide vndifcouered, GOD feemeth after a forte to doe them wrong . But when he fendcth them his worde , then bewray they themfelues what they bee, and their vnbe- liefe is manifeftly prooued . And fo let vs vn- dcrftand that our Lordc knoweth well what the end of the preaching of his word (hall be : y is to i.Cor.i, itf. witjthat it lliall become the fauour of death to a great fort: but yet wUl he not cealleto appoint his wordc to bee preached ftill : and that doeth hefor good and iuftcaufe, namely to the endc that men (liould bee the more condemned. But yet for all this, it is the preachers ductie to of. luk< 10 f. f'^r peace vnto all men , according alio as our Lorde Icfus Chriftfaith to his Difciples , where- foeu<;r yee come, offer peace : and if they that Iiearc you bee vnwoorthic thereof, your peace (hallreturnctoyouagajric. Asifhcfliould fay,' There (hall be no lofle at al, you (hall trie whac ' is in men , and the friendlye greeting which you (hall beare vnto them, fhallbe as a touch- ftone , to the ende they may not be able to fay, that God hath notvifited them nor had no care of them : and fo (liall they be proucd to haue rc- icded his grace. And herewithall wee bee warned, to feeke lO peace with all men as much as invslyeth, ac- cordingly as itis faide in the Pfaltnethat wee raufteuen followeafterit:foasitisnot ynough Pr!il.?4.«J^ for vs to bee friendly , and to indeuour to >.P«t.j.ii. liue without anoying of any bodic , and with- outvexing or troubling any of our neighbours: but wee mult labour yet further to feckc peace. If wee fee there bee any vnrulye fcike , wee muft pacifye them as much as is poffible . If wee lee that Satan procureth vs ftrife and con- 20 tention, wee muft labour torcmedie them as much as wee can : accordingly as our Lordc lefus Chrift rcquireth of the faithfiill , not onely that they (houlde bee peaceable them- felues , but alfo that they (houlde indeuour to (ct peace euerywhere . That then is one thing which wee ought to doe. Andthcrewi;hall wee r. _ » mullbethinke our felues how S. Paul faicthjthat wee muft feeke peace, as muchas invsis. And by that faying he comfortethvs. If it fo hap- 30 pen that wee can not make men our friendes, but y although they haue no caufc to complainc ofvs,nor can fay that wee haue done them any harme or wrong, yet they ceafTc not to be mali- cious & bitter towards vs : we haue wherewith to comfort our felues, in y we haue done thebelt we can to feeke peace. And therefore although G 4 wee 8o The 14. Sermon Of IohnCalvin wee bee faine toliue among fuch as fecke all the meanes they canto trouble andvcxcvs : yet muft not wee foUowe their malice to beLke vn- to them, but wee rauft alwaycs doe our duetic Pro.»s, 11. to mamtaine peace and friendlliip. Andif men &Ro.i3.jo vviJlnotbeewonneby vs: then fhallour milde- ntffe and gentleneflc turne to burning coalcs againft them, wherewith they fliall bee corifu- mcd. Bcfides this.thc Lordc v/illmaintaine our for it is all one when they would (ct fuch a glofc as thisvponit, that God< hardening otSchons heart, was no more but his prcniilincrthnt hce {hould become hard hearted , and that he letted not the hardncffe and ftubbornntlle of his harr, that IS to fay , he did let Schon alone when he fliewedhimfclfeftubborn.Thefe are too feeble lliiftes. For when as the fcripture faith cxpreile- ly thatGODhardencd : it fathereth die verie jnnocencie , and when hefccth thatwcehauc 10 workeit fclfcvponhim. Againe, weefeehowic notafiaikdthofeat whofchandes wedemaund not any ihing.but rather haue laboured to oucr- comeeuill with dooinggood : Jet vs not doubt but he will affift vs with his fuccour. There is this further, that Mofestermethit 7ini'ordo//'«j«,whenmenabftaine from alle- uill dooing.and offer all right and reafon : which wee ought tomarkewell: for many will fay that they dcfirc nothing but peace : howbeit , that is faieth, Thou Lord haftdoneit:andthat in mo places than onely in this. Thinkc wcethat the holy Ghoft wanted wordes v/hcrewithto vttec his meaning, when he faidc.I will harden Pha- raos heart, and bcholde, God hath hardened ^^°''-7-i' him ? And againe when he faieth in the PfaJme that the Lord turned & conuerted their heartes '^"'••"J**^ vnto ftubbornnefl'e,when the)' role vp fo againft Ifracl?Ifmenfliouldflecalw2yes to this glofe, but to their owneprotite,and to their neighbors 10 God faieth that he will harden, that is to lay, h lolfe : and that is no means (^ of peace in decde.] Defire wee then to bee at peace .'Defire wee to haue agreementwith them that dwell with vs > Letvson our fide deale vprighcly : let vs ab- ftainefrom all wrong dooingrletvs greeue no man, let vs drawe no mans goods to our felues, let vs yceld cucne man that wliich is his due.Lo whatpeaceis. And herein wee fee that all the faire prcteftations which they make that are gi- will nothinderorimpcache the hardening:to what purpofe were that ? Wee fee it is a fond kinde of dealing, and the word Tiirne fheweth it well. Behold, God turncth the heart. Whereas mens heartes were plyablc and difpofed to cour- tefie,God turneth them and raaketh them to be inflamed with hatred, fo as they be the firftthac begin the vyarre. And what meaneththat ? So then vnleffe wee meane to dally and mocke with uentorauinc and cxtorfion : arebut lyes. For 3° the holy fcripture, we muft notfeekefuchfliifts. the holy Ghoft hath tolde vs here, that there is no word of peace , but where vprightneife and iuft dealing is obferued, fo as no man is vexed in any wife. And Lke as wee muft indeuour to bee rcafonablc towardcs our neighbours , to main- taine friendfhip with them : fo if they ofter vs reafon,wec muft lookc that we reflifeitnot. For if wee bee vnmcafurablyhardtobee contented: the thing muftnecdes be performed in vs which butrathcrconfiderafterwhatfortitis thatGod hardeneth mens heartes ; and yet notwithftan- ding is notguiltie of thehardnefle that is in me, nor can or ought to bee charged with the euill. Wee muft come to that point. For let vs marke, that although God harden mens heartes , yet men taile not alfo to harden themfelucs. And thcfc two things may agree vciy well : thatisto witthata man fhoulde harden himfclfe in his Pfa],io^,i7. is wnttenin the Pfalrae: thatisto wit,herefufcd 40 owncnaughtinefle, andyetnot without Gods blefrednclle.anditisfarre oft' from him : there- fore ftiaJ] curfcdncffc coucr him as a cloake,and itftiall fticke fafttohis flefliand to hislkinnc. Would wee then that God (hould bleffe vs , and caufe men alfo to beare vs fauour and iriend- Ihip ? Let vs on our bchalfc fecke bleflcdnt ffe to the vttermoft of our power : and when wordes of peace arc offered vsjet vs not goe feeke occa- fionsofcontrouerfie, toftirre vp ftrife and de- working in fuch wife as the euill proceedeth not of him,nc ought to bee imputed to him , as I faid afore. And to proue that men themfcliies ought to beare the blame and condemnation of their hardheartedneffc , there needethno longdif- courfetobecmade : foreuery man carieth his owneinditementrcadie framed in himfelfc. As howe ? Eucn the wickcdft fort doe giue cuidcnce againft themfelues : and although all the world bate. Thus ye fee what wee haue to marke vpon jo would excufe them, and that both great & fmall that text, Nowelet vscome to that which Mofes ad- deth. He laieth Thai Sthon King ofUefeban itaulde not giue the children of If rati leaue 10 pijljfe, A nd wh y ? For the Lord (fa ieth he) had hardened hit ff/irit , And tnade hit heart pubborne.l haue told you alieadic, thai although God forcfeethat the mclfage of peace ftijll not preuaile: yet he ceafleth not to lend It. Cut here Mofes expreflethyeta further did acquit them : yet haue they a hartbiting within them , which maketh them to pcrceiuc, that whenfoeuer they offend orfinne, they doc it willingly of their owne accorde , of a ccrtainc Iewdneffe,and with their owne wil. There is not that man which knoweth not this. Euen the greateft defpifers of God that are (fay I,)euen they that are become as bruufti as is pofllblc to bee,hauethe faid brondingyron fearing within matter: that God hardeneth mens hartes. And 60 them, foas they knowe that their frnnes come in the ende he addeth moreouer, that hcdoeth itofpurpcf- to ouerthrowc them and deftroy them, which is much more. Nowe thisis verie llraunge geeic at the firft fight. And that is the cauJewhy men haue gone about to alter thefc ((xccs :buc info doing they haue oiaiTcd thctn. of nothing elfc th.an their owne f.lfemouing.and of their owne curfcd and wicked affeftion. See- ing then that men doe feclc themfelues gudtic: there needeth no more difputing vppon that point. But now Ice vs come to the fecond pointtthat Vpon De vteronomie. Cap.2.' 8x btowit , how it is thacGod hardcncthracn, Batyecneucrthclefle, if there appcarc no without being partaker of their finncs. Let vs apparantcaure, and chat when v/ch^uc fouchc marke, that lomctimcs the caufes fiv-li be ap- neuerfo muchwhy God hardeneth men , vvcc parant. And whcnfoeiier God punilheth men, find- no caiife at alJ : yet let vs not therefore wee mult necdes confeife that hec doeth itmtl- ccafc to ploritie him , though wee I'cc not the lyrmarkcthat foroncpoynt. Now one of the rcafonofhis doings. As for example , a man meancswhichhchathtopumlhc men with all, might aske why Schon was hardened rather isthathes bhndeth them , that hcc hardeJicth than the Moabites,Edomites, and Ammonites? their hartes, that hec fendeth them the fpirit Ye fee here foure nations bctweenc whom there of giddincfle, that hee deliuereth them vp to lo wasnooddes, Imeanc asm refpcftof naughti- Satan . Thefe then are lignes of Gods wrath neffe.For if wee thin'.:c that the Ammonites and vengeance . and Edomites , were better than the Amorrhits: And therefore if there were any caufc going it is but folly and a deceiuingof our felucs. Then before : wee muft glorify him . And why ? for were they all as infidellcs . and coulde hauc hcc docth the office of a ludge : and for fo doing found in their hartes that Gods people had bin ihereisnocaufeto carp and fnap at him. It is vtterly funk. But God bowctli the heartcs of the Er1.19.14. fayd that God will fend the fpiru of drovvfincflc Ammonites and fuch others , to the end that Rooi.i,j8. vppon men. And why ' Becaufe they hauc mif- they ihould not enter intow.irre. Hee meeke- urcdhisgoodnclVe,andthemftrU(aionthat he ncthandfuppleththem,asifawildcbeaftewcrc gauethcm. When wee fee that this caufewent 20 tamed: and in the meane while he hardeneth afore : that is to wit , that men did wilfully Sehonshart, pricking him and inflamin" him (hut their eyes, that they would not hcarc, foreward.to theende he fliouldcome to giuc and that they would not recciuc any inftru- battell. Whence commeth fuch diuerfitie? Wee ftion , but rather labored to abohlh Gods trutli cannot alleadge any reafon , our wit is too rawc vtterly : is it not reafon that they lliould bee gi- and weake thereto . And againe , God concca- uenvp to the fpirit of giddincfle? Nay moreo- lethhispurpofefrom vsin thatbchalfe . What ucr, theywillneedesbewittie to mocke God: fliall wee doe then? although wee be at our wits and wc fee anombcrofthcfeskoftcrsjwhichare end in this cafe: letvs Icarnc to doe God fo alwayesftumping.and totheir fecming, God much honor, as to acknowledge that hecis iuft is but a babe . By reafon hereof hee fhaketh 30 andvpright in all his doinges . And although them vtterly of , in fuch wife as they become thcthingbe ftraungetoourvnderftanding.and brute beatks .Now then , when that caufc it fecme toy's that wee might fpcake againft it: goeth afore : wee fee that God exccuteth his yet notwithftanding let vs forbeare 10 reply , lufticeandpunillieth men in fuch fort, as wee and letvs humble our felucs vndcr themaieftic can not but glorific him . Marke that for one of our God . For truely the thing wherein he wil poynr. try mens hu.Tiilitic, is that wee Ihould gloritie True it is that fometime there (hall be fpcci- him in al his works,yea eucn though they agree Rem.i.i^. all caufes:but the faying of Saint PauJ in the not n? match not with our natural reafo. There ^°'=''''5-»* firrt chapter to the Romans cxtendcth yet fur- is not a truer obedience of faith than that. And ^^* ther. For there wee fee that God hath iuft rca- 40 if they which babble fo much nowadayes a- fontoblindeallthewotld,andthatifheefhould gainftGods prouidcnce, had learned but this doc fo he fliould doe but the office of a iudge. one principle of honoring G O D by confel". For why ? although the heathen had no doc- fing that hec is righteous , and meafured trine preached vnto them: yet doc the heauens nothislufticeor rightcoufneileby their owne and the earth fpeake fufficiently vnto them , in- brayne : there would be no more difficultie. But afmuchasGoddothfhewe himfelte there. But what? There are a forte of proud bcggcrs, which whoaretliey that honor and ferue God, for all fct themfelucs againft GOD, "and fwellc their inioying of the benefites which he beftow- at him lyke Toades . Infomuch that if they haue eth vpon them in this world? All are vnthanke- once taken a toy in their head , although GOD / full, aJl are malicious , wee cobble vpGodsri- 50 hauc fpoken the flat contrary: tliey paiTe not chesherc, andin the meane whdc regard not for that, neitherwill they furccafe their rage how much we be beholden to him , at leaftwife for it. But as for our part , to the intent wee may to doc him homage for them. And therefore it be Gods true difciples , let vs bridle our wittes is reafon that he lliould giuevp men into a Icude and hold them as prifbners and captiues vndcr *°°-'«'4- minde, (asfaythSainte Paule ) and thathec the doftrine of the holy fcripture: which is, ^ •* • fliould deLuer them into wicked luftes , (b as that God holdethmenshartcsinhishand ,and they (liould forget themfelucs , and ouerfhootc turneth them to gentlencfle when hec Iiftcth, as themfelucs, and giuc ouer themfelucs to all vn- wefeehedidinEeypt .Behold, theEgyptians Exod.ii, >, eratioufnelTc. and to all mancr of ihamefull and were ful of fpire and crueltie.fo as they ment no- 8ci 1. j 6. horrible dealings.And why? For they honoured 60 thing elfe but to hauc vtterly dtftroyed the pco- not their creator that made them,& had fhewed pie of Ifracl. But yet in one minute of an houre, himfelfefo bountifull and mcrcifuli to them. and cueninthcturningofahand, God wrought And therefore whenfoeuer God hardeneth in fuch wife that they were chaunged . They inen,wecmufttlunkehehathiuftrcafontodoe yeclded vp all their vcflcllof goldeandfiluer at fo, becaufe our leawdneflc and vnthankftUnclTc the conuundemec of y peopled To be fliort they are to be found cuei7 where. did The 14' S^^'*^'^*"' ^'^ Iohn Caivin 82 did more for the children oflfrael, than the fa- thers would hiiie done for their owne children. And whereof came this ?Euen of Gods changing of their hartcs when hce thought good . Alfo on tlie contrary part , God holdeth mens hartes in his hand, to harden them as he lifteth. And if this feeme ftraunge vnto vs : let vs acknowledge the weakenelTe of our vndcrftanding , and let vs alwayes lirft and formoft confcfle God to bee malicious and froward, and reformeth them to his obedience, yea euen when he intendeth to faue them. Lykcwife on the contrary part,when hchathvttetlyappoynted them to deftruition: he hardt-neth them, fo as there is nomeancfor tlicm to admit any amendment . or to come neere it, but they repine againft him and his do- ftrme , whereof they make as it were a deadly poyfon. Lo after what forte God worketh . True righteous, and therewithallreuerence his high ^° it is that mans naturall reafon can neuerwell and decpc fccretes , (ich wee cannot atteine vn- to them. Thus yee fee what we haue to remem- ber in the firft place. Alfo wee haue to note the endc for which this was done .Gorf (fay th Mofcs) vm dttermimd todefifoySehoniG O D had already ailigned him his iudgeracnt: that was the caule why hee hardened him. It is not in this text onely , that the holy Ghoft fpeaketh fo . But when God Brooke his doftrine : but wee n.uft fubmit our fclues with fuchhumiltic in this. bchalfc,as wee i.Sam.».J5. gaincfay not the thinges which the holy fcrip- ture tcacheth . Againe , whereas it is fayd , that the children of Hely hauingbin warned, rccci- ued not correiflion at their lathers hand: it fol- loweth immediately , becaule the Lord was pur- pof^'d to flea them. Bythefcttingdowne here- of , wee fee that God g.uic them not the grace fendech his Prophet Efay, and tclleth him that ^o toconuert, becaufe he Iclt them inthedcliru- thc people ihalbc hardened and bUnded , yea e- uen the more after their hearing of all the mat- ters and warningesthat Ihouldbe giuenthem: he addcth I will haue this people blinded, to the cnde they conuert not and I fliould heale them. As if he fhould fay, this people is not worthie to bee pitied at my hand , or to haue any mercy fhewedthem:and therefore they muft dwell ftiU in their deflruftion . And that they may doe fo, dion . wherein they were by nature : And thac hefopurpofed, itwas through his rightftjll lu- ftice . Here is no talke of I wote not what per- miflion orfufterance, fo as God ihouldplay the blmkacd, or fhut his eyes as thcfe fantailicaJl fellowes imagine, which haue as much experi- ence inthe holy fcriptute as dogges : but it is fayd, that Gods will was to haue it fo . Where- fore let vs learne , that when God hardeneth I willhardcn their hartes, ftop their eares , and 5° men.itisafignediathee hath dcliuered them blinds their eyes.fo as they ihall be paftall a- mendcment . Lctvs vnderftand, thatin fo do- ing Qpd hath al.vayes iuft reafon: but yet is it not tobefaid, that therefore itislawfidlfor vs alwayes to know it . If the reafon be apparant to vs :it IS well, and let vs wey it throughly,acknow- Icdging ( as I tolde you before)that God execu- techhis mft vengeance vpponthe finners that haue offended hira too muchjandabufedhis pa. toSatan jBspaft rccouery . True it is that on the one part God ferueth hismrne by Satan and by wicked men, todcceiuethe vnbeleeuers,ac- i.Kin,ii.s» cording as wee fee that when itwas fayd, who will be my mefTenger to deceiue Achab .- the di- uill ofFereth himfelfc , and God fendeth him.Go (fayth God) and ouerrule thou all his falie pro- phets, and let them bee all thereto blmde this wretch that hath bin fo rebellious againil: me. ticnceand goodneffe. But howfoeuer the cafe 40 Wc fee how God ferueth his turne by Satan, & ^ ftand , if wee fee no reafon at all , let his onely will and ordinance fufhcevs, and let it content vsthatheknoweth why heedealethfo, though it be not his will to reueile it vnto vs , at leaft- i.Cor.j.j. vvife till the day wherein the thinges that arc nov/ hidden from vs, fhalbedifcoueredvntovs. For (is fayth Saint Paul ) as now wee fee but in part and darkcly . And if wee knewe that : name- that all falfe prophets are fent by him. But yet fhould not tliis preuaile : for if men were well difpofed , Satan fhould win nothing by his illu- fions, and al his wiles fliould be withitood: But a.ThefCMi itisfayd thatGodgiucth cffcftuallor workefiiU error : it is cuen Saint Paulcs owne maaer of Ipeach . Now whereas he terraeth it efrcftuall error, iythatwccbehereas inadarke prifon , (b long itisasmuchtofay asmenfhaUbefofotted.that . i,„ ,Uf»j ;r>,.,...v,^,,r rr.^.-f-.ii fl^ru. . — J they fhall not bc sblc to difccmc any moic , not to percciue the deceitcs , but fli'all become fb brutifh.as they fhallfling and call thcmfcJues headlong into defhxiftion , and not iudgeofa- ny thing. It isGodthatblmdeththemfo, fayth . Saint Paul. And why? Becaufe heis minded to ouerthrowe them. Now I haue tolde you alrea- dy , diatfometimes the caufefhall not be appa- rant as it is in that placeof Saint Paid , who a- uoucheth it concerning fuch as h.iuinm the bondage of Pharao J and to haue pa(- fcd through the red Sea:all this had bin nothing, if our God had not ftrcngthened vs , feeing wcc haue bin afTayled by fo mightie and ftrong ene- mies , whome we had not bin able to refift. And in good (both, wee ought recall to mindc what haui bin declared before, that is to wit, thac the people ran away as fooncas their enemies came againft them . And why was thac ? For it was not for them to looke for any (iiccour at Gods hand , becaufe they ran fourth at aduc- ture with fuch foolifh raflincfle . God had fayd vnto them, ycc fhallnot goe to battcll : and yet would they needcs hazarde the in- counter. Therefore it was meere that they (houlj bee made to knowc their follie to their coft.Yet notwithftanding , the people of Ifrael kne we wel enough by experience, that they were not of fufficient power to withftand their enemies. But now , for afmuch as nothing was able to H ftand Fwelhould 30 takey thin- ges that I haue read, but as a fim^ pie reportc of a ftorie: there would be no pro- fite at all in the reading. 40 But if we be able to ap- ply it to fuch vfe , as God meant by his holy fpi- rinit is a very profitable leflbn for vs . It is decla- red here , that the people oflfraell (iiiote Og king of Bafan, as they had dona Sehon king of the Amorrhytes . That (as ye fee) is the ftory. Butwcemuftconfidertowhatpurpofe GOD meant to haue it regiftred in his lawe , and pub- lifhedby Mofcs, and brought againe to the peo- 1° pics remembraunr e. It was to the ende that the people fhould knowc , that they had bin guy- dcdbythe hand of God , and that when they were deliuered outof the land of Egypt , they wift not where to haue become, vnlelfe GOD had continued his fauour towardes thera,toput them in poffcffioofthe land which he had pro- mifed them for their inheritance . But now wee inuft marke alfo, that the people were not yet entered mtothc landof Chanaan: there was ^o yet greathsrdncfl'c in the matter . And if they hadnottruftcdin God , they might haue bin fo feared ,ns would hauccaufed them to turnc head , and to murmur againft God,nnd to for- fakc the land that had bin promifed them.Ther- forfi it was for thi:m to be confirmed . And Mo- i.Cot'tOiii, ^S The ij. Sermon Of loHN CAtviM ftand before tliem: therby itappcarcdthattheir vppon thcfudden, yea euen though there bee obteining of the vidorjc was not by their ownc no great caufe why. But thereby God warncth ftrength , neither coulde they boaft thereof: but them of their infirmitie. to the ende they (hould it was God that had wrought in that behalfe . walke iii awe and fcare of him,calling vpon him, j\nd itbchoueth vs alwayes to make the fame and vtterly diftrufting their owne ftrength . A- comparifonjif wee wil well perceiue Gods grace gay ne , when they f;e themfclues ftrengthened and fauor towardcs vs . For what is the caufe they knowc that that commeth not of thcra- thatwcetakeourfelucstobeftrong and ftoute, fe]ucs', neither are they fofoolilli as to be proud andyeede not God his due prayfe'Itis for that of it : but they magnify Gods goodncfle and wee bee bleared: when hecharh reached vs his lo grace towardcs them, and take courage vppon band, and when hee hath fuccourcdvs at fome thcfame. pinch , wee confider not fiora whence that True it isQfay they] that wee be wretched commeth. VVhacremcdie then- Let vsbethinke and fihc creatures : but yet hath our Gtd hei- our fclues thus: Go to.haue I not found my fclfe ped vs , to the end that wee (hould truft m him. fore cotnbred in very fmall thinges ? Haue not I Therefore let vs on forewardc as he comman- bin daunted and ftrikcn out of hart ? And what deth , and let vs not doubt but hee will be the was the caufe thereof, but that God made mec fame man to morrowe that he is to day. The CO feele mine owne fraildc? Surely I fhouldc bee remembrance of his promife lafteth longer with neucr a whit vakantcr now , than I was then: him than for a day : a!\d feeing he hath auowed were itnot that God gaue me his helpe. So then 20 himfelfctobeourfather.itisnottofliake vs off itisfomewhereclfethaiiofmyfclfe,th3tIhaue astheb^aftesdocthat forget their young ones, my ftrength: and therefore it is not for mceto or as the fowlesdoewhicli forfake their byides aduaunce my fclfe through ouerweening : for whom they bred : but our God is a father to vs God hath giucn mee a furc knowledge of my both in lyfe and death. Now then.lct vs alwayes feeblenclfe. Nowthen,Imuft thinke continu- fleevnder the Ihadowe of his protcdion, and ally how to humble rtiy felfe : and when he hath allure our felues that liis power fliall neucr bee vpheldmebyhisftrong hand, I muft acknow- diroinifhed towardcs vs. ledge that that bcnefitc came of him , and that But wee haue alfo to marke how Moles faith, bee will be glorified for the fame . Yee fee then ■ That Og king ofBafan cameflingingfoorth togmt bat- that the intent why Mofes fpake foto the peo- 30 tell, wherein hee fheweth that thepcople[of pie of Iff ael , was that they Ihould acknowhdge Ifraels] warre was iuft and lawfull . For although that their ouercomming of their enemies, was tlieyhadexprcffecommaundement from God, not by the power and ftrength of man, but by to armethemfelaes and to put Og king ofBafan Gods fighting for them. to 'he fword , not at their owne pleafure, but vp- '' Neiietthclcirc,this ought to hauemoued them, pon the authoritie of him that hath all power: not oncly to honor God, but alfo to truft in liim, yet was it Gods wil to miniftcr a iuft caufe there- asIhauctouchcdbetore.Foritwasnotenough ofvntothem, thatthcy might bethemore af^ for the people oflfrael to haue conquered the '■^ired in their confcience. And thereby wee bee land ofBafan : for they had not yet paffcd the warned ( as I haue layd heretofore) not to at- riuer of lordan where their inheritance lay. 40 tempt any thing againft right and rcafon . If we Thetfcteitftoodthemonhadtobearniedwith will haue GOD to bkfle ourdoinges, and to newe truft, and to proceede with fiiUpurpofe to make them profper , and bring them to good incoimtcr their enemies againe . And whence cnde: let vs beware that wee ftirre not fo much might they haue fuch hardincflc ? If they had as one finger vnaduife Jly , or contrarily to that takenitinthcmfclues.ithadbinbutaragetlwt which is (hewed vs by (3ods worde.For what is God wouldchauc condemned: but they muft itihat can make vs tightly hardycinall things? haue imboldcned thcmfclues with truft that The haumg of a good warrant in our owne con- God would not faile them. And how might they fciences , that wee haue walked according to be lure ofthat? By their owne experience which Gods commaimdement , and gone no further they had had therof.VVhy was it that God oucr- Jo than cquitie and right will beare . If wee be fuic threwcasweliSchon .asOgkingofBafan? Be- ofdiat: then may wee looke for. helpe from a- caufe he was the leader of his people , and had boue,and wecfh.ill not bee difapointed. But if taken them into his charge and proteftion. And wee neglcft the difference betweene good and that was not to leade them onely to the banke bad , and runne to thinges vppon a head : it is oflordan: but to petforme the promife thathe good reafon that God flioulde beguilevs, and hadmade to Abraham. And therefore the peo- thatwecihould beconfoundcd inour doinges. pie might conclude , that the vidories which Thus yee fee what wee haue to marke here , they h.id obtained already , werebut an cnte- when Og king ofBafan camcfoorth as an enc- rancc to a further paflage , whereby they might mie to prouokc the children of Ifraell , in fuch fully perfwadc and affure themfelucs, that God 60 wile as their warre becatae iufl. For no doubt would contmuc with them euen vnto the ende. but this enemy was offered him of Gods hand, Euen fo muft wc doe. If we perceiue any change asweelawcthatSehonwas yeilcrday , whomc in our felues,v>'ce muft acknowledge it to be the God hardened becaufe hee was nimdcd too- handofGod. .^j, uerthrowe him . After the fame mancc happe- For fiimccimcs, yea oftentimes the faithful! ned it to Og the king ofBafan. lliaJl finds tliemfclues aftonilhcd and abailicd Novvthcnjlecvskaincto beware tliacwee pro- Vpon Devteronomie. C AP.?. prouoke not one man nor other, by giuing them caufe to vexe and molcft vs : but it'wee haue any enemies, let them bcgmnc the warre, and let vs on our fide keepe the peace. Let chat be a point forvstobearcaway. Forifwce begin the .fray, by doing them wrong or violenccxan wee lookc for hclpe at Gods hand? Can v/ce hope that he will fauorvs, when we be fo out of order ? No: and therefore let vsnoc goe about to purcKafc ^7 here : which is , that wee attempt not any thing before God haue firft Ipokcnit . Forel'fe, our meaning is but to transfigure him after our own pleafare.and looke as euerie man inuenceth fol- lies in his ownc heade : fo wouldc hce by and by haue God -at his commaundemcnt , to make him performe the thmgs that hec himfdfe hath conceiued . And what a dealing were that? What maieftie more woulde there bee in our vsencmies:(thediuilwilraifevsvpbuttooma- lo God ? Againe wee fee our luftes are fooutra. nyofthe; and God alio on his fide may chance to exercife vs, and woikein fuch wife as wee fliall haue enemies enowe, that will feeke all the meanesthey cantoperfecutevs:) butlet vsfor °'°''**' * ourpartfeeketohauepeace.tothevttermoftof our power. And befidcs this, let vs alwayes hope that GOD will aflift vs , if the quarell that wee mamtaine bee good and rightfuU , and fuch as geous , as is horrible : and yet ihoulde God bee fainc to daunce attendance at all hourcs, to doc the thinges that our imagination hath dreamed or doted vpon.- Therefore let vs haue the mode- ftie to looke vnto that which God promifcth. And when wee once haue that promife ^we mull no more reply againft it, but bee contented with his fpeakingofthe wordc.and goe on \o\A- h. Bi rioi jfr jid(;,'2yth the Lord) I viUdelHef bint hceallowcrh .Thefearethe thinges which wee -° into ihy hand. And when ourLorde hadfayd, 1 hauetorememberinthatit isfaid that Og ad- viUdelitiey him into tfy hand: he added for: a con- Ephe,£. I}, uauncedhimftlfe,and came forth to all'ailethe people oflfraell.withoutdcmiunding any thing at their hand , euen to Hop them of the paflage that God had giucn them . Furthermore let vs bcare in mind that which hachbin faydaforc, namely , that the chiefc warre which wee haue, is againft our Ipirituall clufion , therefort be not afraid. But how muft WCC apply this doftrine to our inlhuifticn? Firft and formoft let vslboke that God pro- mife .If wee were combred with any perplexitie or anguiftic.and knewe not whether God would Icauc vs in the mire or no : wee might well bee afraide: and if wee v.ould not be afraide, wee enemies . Therefore whenfoeuer Satan alfai- 3© fliouldbetooblockifti.But whenGodfaythvn leth vs, and praftifeth all the mifchiefe that hce can againft vs: let vsvnderftand that GODis minded to exercife vs : but yet fhall wee haue wherewith to bcare out the brimt , forafmuch as weefliallbeftrengthenedby the power of the holyGhoft. And for the bringing thereof to pafle, letvsmarkehowcitis addedhere , that God fay th vnto Mofes , Be not afraide t for I hauf^ tleiiuertdOgkfngof Bafxn into thy hand ; therifoYt to vs, my children, itis true thatyou beweake, you can doe nothing of yourfelues . and you hauetooftrongan enemie,by meancs where- of yee coulde by no meancs v/irhftand him if yee were not helped and vphcid by me : but I tell you , your temptations (hall not bee greater than you ftiall be able 10 beare, I knowc what r- ^your power is , I will giue you ftrength and '' "'""'^ courage at your need, 1 wil mitigate y teptation? P)^ thoH doe to him as thou diddefl vnto Sehon the ^q y mightouerthrow you, and although the world tfitg of the Amorrh^tei . Ycc fee then that here is a promife giuen , to the endc that the people Should reft vppon it , and not doubt any more of the viftoric , inafmuch as God tclleth them that hee will tight for them . And it behoueth vs tomarkewcll this text, becaufe that if wee be dcftitutc of Gods promifes : though wee pro- left neuer fo much that wee truft in him: it is but avaineand fond imagination. And itis not in and the deuill be ftarke mad againft you, yet wil I bridle them , fo that although you be roughly aflayled , yet fliall you ouercome them : truft thereunto. Hath God fpokcn as this man tcl- leth vsiletvs neuer doubrof it. Not that wee can be vtterly exempted from allfeare, fo lono- asweliuein this woild: Infoniuch that although wee haue Gods promifes, whereby we beaffu- redthat hec will neuer leauevs, but that wee mentopromifethemfclucs anything. For by JO fhall euer fctle his helpe at our necde what right or title mayweeholde Godbounde vnto vs, fo as wee may fay,God ftiall help vs, we ftiall not fade to be fuccoured at his hand? It would be tofodanouerftatelyneSjifmcn rtiould forge hopes of their owne head after that fort. Naywee muft waite quietly thatGod fhcwe vs his wil,and when we once haue the word of his mouth , then may wee ftand vppon it. Let vs marke then that there is an infeparablebond , yet muft wee not thinkc that wee /hall be vtter- ly voyde of care and doubt, or that wee fhould not beware o(Jthc daungcrs that iriuiron vs roundabout. No,butyctmuft not ihisfearefb cuerawghr vs , as wee fhould not take harr to callvpponGod , and to reft vppon him, and to goe on ftill forcward . Theri-fore when as it is kydylvili helpe thee,l>e not afraide : our Lord will haue vs to fight in fuch wife againft all feaie , as betwcene Gods promifes and the truft that wee go it m.iynotfo cuermaftervs, as tomakevsgiuc RaBi.10.17. haue in him. The world doth in dcedevfe the wordcs f