A17698:1154
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.
Nevertheless, so far off is the world from knowing this, that it should seem they be all ⟨p. 270⟩bent to spite God, and have conspired to turn their backs upon him, and to shake off all subjection, that they may have liberty to continue in their disorders, and to scape in the mean while unespied with their lewdness. The Jews are unexcusable, according as we see how the Prophets upbraid them with their wilful forsaking of God,1 so as they could not excuse themselves by saying that they had not heard any thing, as the poor Paynims might do: for §10God protesteth that he spake not in vain. And now adays when God speaketh to us with open mouth,2 and we have him perfectly discovered unto us by the Gospel, is it not too great a lewdness that men should run astray after that fashion? Were there ever any superstitions more gross and more outrageous, than are to be seen now adays in the Popedom? It is true that the Jews meddled with the superstitions of the Heathen, and took much §20filth and uncleanness of them: but if all be well searched, it will be found that the Papists have far exceeded them. For Gods word is as it were, at this day buried among them. When they treat of faith, they fetch the points of it from mens inventions: and the holy scripture is in as much reverence among them as if it were dead, and that all things went to havoc. Lo at what point they be. And if a man speak to them of Gods service, (as I §30said) they be busy about their own inventions. Yea verily, mine intent is good say they: and so they bear themselves in hand, that God will suffer himself to be dandled like a little babe, and will never come to examine any whit of the doctrine of Popery. Again if they speak of faith: exhort they men to resort to Gods free promises? No, but they challenge all to themselves. When they take in hand to treat of the office of Jesus Christ, they §40overthrow the virtue of his death and passion, as much as they can. When they treat of their salvation: then step forth their own freewill, their merits, and their satisfactions. But contrariwise we should resort to the mere grace of the holy Ghost,