A17698:1300
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.
Another is, That Gods will was to have that §20Land as it were dedicated to himself, and that his people should show how much they abhorred idols, by suffering none of the things to remain which the heathen men had kept before. God then meant to try the zeal of the Jews, when he commanded them to make clean riddance of the idols: and by that means he intended to inure them to abhor idols, and all things that belonged to them: so as they might show not only that they purposed to worship the only §30one God, but also that they could not abide his glory to be any whit abated. Now we see the two reasons that God had an eye unto in this place. And now must we apply them to our own benefit. For although some would restrain this to the Jews, as though it belonged not to us in these days: yet was it not Gods intent to speak for any one time only. And indeed, (as hath been declared in the fifth chapter,) let us look into our own hearts, and every §40man examine himself, whether he find himself more steadfast and strong to withstand idolatry, than the Jews and other Nations were. For surely that cursed seed is so rooted in all men, as there is none of us all but he may keep a school of superstition, without having any schoolmaster to teach him. We be so froward, that although no body seduce us, yet we rather tend still to some corruption, than hold our selves in the pureness of gods service. What §50is to be done then, seeing that idolatry is so rooted in our nature? If occasions be offered to draw us away, is it not like as when nets are spread before birds? And we be so unconstant, that we tumble into them immediately. And therefore as for them that think themselves to have such constancy & strength, that although they have images, Chapels, and such other things, yet they shall not hurt them at all: they tempt God, and experience shows it to be so.§60 Therefore there is no better way, than to know our infirmity, and upon the knowledge thereof, to use the remedy that God hath given us. If a man perceive himself to have a weak head, so as he is not able to bear three glasses of wine but he shall be overtaken: if he drink without discretion, is he not as bad as a swine? Doeth he not tempt God? Ought he not to think upon the default that is in him, and to prevent it? Yes.