A17698:1064
Sermons upon Deuteronomy
The sermons of M. John Calvin upon the fifth book of Moses called Deuteronomy faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpit; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneva, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chief matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alleged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Moses called Deuteronomie faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpet; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneua, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chiefe matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alledged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.
London: printed by Henry Middleton for George Bishop, 1583
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
For as much as we find not a better excuse of our lewdness & disobedience towards God, than to plead ignorance: we could find in our hearts to have always that shrouding sheet, so as we might say we understand not what GOD sayeth, or that he speaks §60not unto us, or else that his voice is too far off for us to hear. But GOD foreseeing such lewdness, meant to prevent all that men could allege, to the end they might have nothing to defend themselves withal. And therefore in setting forth his Law, it was his will that the doctrine which is contained therein, should be uttered with a loud & shrill voice. Yea & he spake it not only to three or four, but to all the people, both great & small without exception. Besides this,1 it was his will that the law should be put in writing, that it might continue, and not serve for one age only, but stand in force and authority to the worlds end. And that is the cause why it is said in this place, That God spake with a loud voice. Hereby Moses showeth that the Law is no hidden doctrine, and that men can not allege that they be not of sufficient learning: for not with out cause did God so lift up his voice, when he intended to give a rule for men to live by. It is ⟨p. 248⟩added expressly, That it was done to the whole multitude. As if he should say, It is true that God hath chosen men from among you to govern you, and that he hath given them his spirit: but yet for all that, he will have his law known even of the rudest and most ignorant,2 so as it may be a wisdom common to all men. That is one of the points which we have to mark here.
FOr as much as wee finde not a better excuse of our lewdnesse & disobedience towardes God, than to pleade ignoraunce: we coulde finde in our heartes to haue alwayes that shrouding sheete, so as wee myght saye wee vnderstand not what GOD sayeth, or that hee speakes §60not vnto vs, or else that his voyce is too farre off for vs to heare. But GOD foreseeing such lewdnesse, meant to preuent all that men could alledge, to the ende they might haue nothing to defend themselues withall. And therefore in setting forth his Lawe, it was his wil that the doctrine which is contained therein, should be vttered with a loud & shirle voyce. Yea & he spake it not onely to three or foure, but to all the people, both great & small without exception. Besides this,