A17698:1091
Sermons upon Deuteronomy
The sermons of M. John Calvin upon the fifth book of Moses called Deuteronomy faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpit; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneva, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chief matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alleged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Moses called Deuteronomie faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpet; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneua, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chiefe matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alledged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.
London: printed by Henry Middleton for George Bishop, 1583
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But yet furthermore he intended likewise that the people should be driven of themselves to §50say, It is not good that God should speak to us again. Only let us have a man to bring us the doctrine which it shall please him to send us. And this rule serveth to condemn us, if we follow not this people which stepped forth to say so. And if any man allege, that the things which were spoken at that time cannot bind us: The answer is easy, namely that if God should do the like at this day, that is to wit, if he should speak the things with his own mouth, which we hear at the §60mouths of men: it were impossible for us to abide his glory, we should be utterly undone. And therefore let us learn that this is rehearsed unto us, to the end that in the person of the people of Israel, we might understand that God applieth himself to our slenderness and infirmity, and that in vouchsafing to send us his word, to be preached unto us by men like our selves, whom he maketh his messengers: he hath respect to our benefit and commodity: and therefore it proceedeth of a foolish and inordinate lust in us, to desire that he should appear to us from heaven, or that he should work any visible miracle: for we cannot comprehend his glory and majesty.
But yet furthermore hee intended lykewise yt the people should bee driuen of themselues to §50say, It is not good that God should speake to vs againe. Onely let vs haue a man to bring vs the doctrine which it shall please him to send vs. And this rule serueth to condemne vs, if wee followe not this people which stepped forth to say so. And if any man alledge, that the thinges which were spoken at that time cannot binde vs: The answere is easie, namely that if God should doe the lyke at this day, that is to wit, if hee should speake ye thinges with his owne mouth, which we heare at the §60mouthes of men: it were impossible for vs to abide his glory, wee should bee vtterly vndone. And therefore let vs learne that this is rehearsed vnto vs, to the ende that in the person of the people of Israell, wee might vnderstand that God applyeth himselfe to our •lendernesse and infirmitie, and that in voutsafing to send vs his worde, to bee preached vnto vs by men lyke our selues, whome hee maketh his messengers: hee hath respect to our benefite and commoditie: and therefore it proceedeth of a foolish and inordinate lust in vs, to desire that hee shoulde appeare to vs from heauen, or that hee shoulde worke any visible miracle: for wee cannot comprehend his glory and maiestie.