A17698:1238
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.
Now Moses sayeth expressly, That these Commandments, Ordinances and Laws must be done & kept. As if he should say, that God will not have his word to fall to the ground. His setting forth of it, is to the end that we on our side should be attentive to hearken what he saith to us. And so let us mark well that it is not enough for us to allow Gods word in speech, by saying it is true: but we must also be diligent in keeping it all our life long. And for further proof of that which he had said, he addeth, Thou shalt do th•• which is right & good in the sight of God. Herein he showeth us, that we must not do whatsoever seemeth good to our selves, nor follow our own good intents, as they term them. And he will set out this matter yet better in another place which we shall see hereafter.1 For there he will forbid men expressly to do the things that seem right in their own eyes: for whatsoever seemeth excellent unto us,2 shall be condemned for abominable at Gods hand, as is said in S. Luke. Therefore let us take good heed that we overshoot not our selves in our conceits to say, How so? Why should not God allow this for good, seeing we do it to such a purpose? seeing we be desirous to obey him? Yea, but how will he be obeyed? Not that men should be Judges & Umpires of the things that they do, to say this is good, or that is evil: he reserveth that authority to himself alone. Now then, will we order our life aright? Let us not open our eyes to be wise in our own conceits, for we see that that hath cost us dear. We see (I say) that our father Adam saw too much, when he could not content himself with the measure that was given him. And therefore let us not be too sharp sighted to say, I find that this is good, & therefore it must be done. Cursed be such wisdom: for it is a devilish pride. Will we then be allowed of our God? Let us take good heed to that which he speaketh: for whatsoever is right in his eyes, must needs be allowed in the end: & the things which we shall have imagined to have been best, shall be condemned when we bring them before him. For why? He seeth more clearly than we do: he knoweth things which we know not. And therefore he misliketh all our imaginations, & will have us to follow the things which he uttereth with his mouth, simply without mingling any thing of our own.