A17698:1261
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.
Finally Moses addeth, It shall be imputed to thee for righteousness afore God, if thou keep his commandments as he hath appointed thee. In these words he doth men to wit, that if they be desirous to be allowed of God, and that he should accept their service: they must not bring any of their own inventions, but be contented to do simply whatsoever Gods word affordeth,§60 and whatsoever is contained there. That is the meaning of Moses. And whereas he saith that the keeping of the commandments which God hath ordained, shall bee imputed to men for righteousness before God: it is all one as if he should say, my friends, tell your children that if they swerve from Gods word contained in his Law, and turn away after their own fancies, to do what seemeth good to themselves: God will reject it every whit, and it shall be but as dung before him. For why? He alloweth obedience above all things.1 He intendeth not to give me leave to devise and invent new Laws: but he will have them to be contented with that pure rule [of his Law], in such sort as he hath given it. Therefore look not that God should accept you, or allow any of all your doings for righteousness, unless it be conformable to his doctrine. For although men would fain have things to pass in account which they themselves like of: yet will God cross them out every one. For why? Their travelling is in vain, unless they can say, Lord we have followed the way wherein thou diddest set us. For so sayeth he by his Prophet Isaiah.2 Who hath required these things at your hand, faith he? When the Hypocrites make their brags, and think themselves well discharged in being willing to serve God after their own fancy: there needeth no more but this answer to disprove all their doings, who required these things a• your hands? As if he should say, let him that did set you a work, pay you: for as for me I will none of you, I disclaim ye, ye have nothing to do with me, seeing ye have not served me obediently, which is the principal service that I require And that is the cause also why S. Paul speaking of mens inventions,3 addeth no more but this, that they be mens doctrines. True it is, that they shall have some fair colour, and some likelihood of religion, yea and there will seem to be in them a perfection of all holiness: but what for that?