A17698:134
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.
And like as they that are in that vocation and office, ought to have mildness, and lowliness, that they usurp not the authority which God hath reserved to himself, yea and given to his §60only son: so all Christians ought to think thus with themselves. Wherefore come we to Sermons? Wherefore is there order in the Church? It is to the end that GOD should govern us, and that we should have our Lord Jesus Christ to be as our sovereign teacher, and that we should be his flock to be led by him. Now this cannot be done, unless we hearken to his voice, and discern it from the voices of strangers, so as we be not carried too and fro like wavering Reeds with every wind, but stand fast settled upon the pureness of the holy Scripture, and that our faith be so grounded thereupon, as the devil may never shake it down. Lo (say I) how we ought to apply this doctrine to our use, namely that the judgement and authority is Gods. For if we do so, we may well see many contrarieties in this world, men may assail us with many troubles, they may well set themselves against us, and they may well speak against us: but yet shall we still keep on our pace. And why? for GOD is not variable. Although the devil keep never so great a stir here beneath, yet is Gods purpose always unchangeable. And so is meant by this that is said of the truth,1 that it dureth for ever. It is not such a trueth as is hidden our shut up in heaven: but it is said expressly that it is the same truth which God uttereth to us by his word, as he witnesseth daily. Sith it is so, let us look up to GOD, and yield him the government that is due unto him, that he may reign over us: and then shall our faith be unvariable, though the devil trouble and turmoil all things upsidedown, and stir up never so much strife and contention. Thus you see how we must put the doctrine in ure that is contained here.
And like as they that are in that vocation and office, ought to haue mildnesse, and lowlinesse, that they vsurpe not the authoritie which God hath reserued to himselfe, yea and giuen to his §60onely sonne: so all Christians ought to thinke thus with themselues. Wherefore come wee to Sermons? Wherefore is there order in the Church? It is to the ende that GOD shoulde gouerne vs, and that wee shoulde haue our Lorde Iesus Christ to bee as our soueraine teacher, and that wee shoulde be his flocke to bee led by him. Nowe this cannot bee done, vnlesse we hearken to his voyce, and discerne it from the voyces of straungers, so as wee be not caried too and fro like wauering Reedes with euerie winde, but stande fast setled vppon the purenesse of the holy Scripture, and that our faith be so grounded therevppon, as the diuell may neuer shake it downe. Loe (say I) howe we ought to applie this doctrine to our vse, namely that the iudgement and authoritie is Gods. For if wee doe so, wee may well see many contrarieties in this world, men may assayle vs with many troubles, they may well set themselues against vs, and they may well speake against vs: but yet shal we stil keepe on our pace. And why? for GOD is not variable. Although the diuell keepe neuer so great a stirre here beneath, yet is Gods purpose alwayes vnchaungeable. And so is ment by this that is saide of the truth,