A17698:1531
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 it is the same thing also which he meaneth by the sentence that I alleged out of the first of Samuel, namely that obedience is better than all the Sacrifices in the world. Also the same thing is confirmed by Jeremiah,1 saying: When thy fathers §40cam out of Egypt, did I require sacrifices or such other things at their hands? In deed God commanded sacrifices: but yet the chief thing that he required, was that they should obey his voice. The thing that God aimed at, the thing wherein all our righteousness consisteth, is to hearken to his speech, that his authority may weigh with us, so as we fall not to replying to be wise of our selves, nor to do what we think good: but that he only may §50have the mastery, and we no more but open our ears and be heedful to receive his doctrine, yea and to receive it in such wise as it may be as a yoke or bridle as I said afore, and over rule us without any gainsaying. And hereby it appeareth, that if men be not mild in submitting themselves wholly to Gods will: farewell all their honesty, their life is but lewd. For why? Whereas is nothing but disobedience, there is not any righteousness, because the foundation §60of all righteousness and of all good behaviour, is to be reformed according to the good will of GOD. We must not bring our own meteyard nor our own measure in this behalf: but only GOD himself must speak and be the judge to discern between good and bad: for it is he to whom it belongeth to acquit or condemn. And he alloweth or disalloweth what he himself thinks good: and there remaineth nothing for us but to say Amen, by allowing whatsoever he thinketh good, and by condemning whatsoever he misliketh.
And it is the same thing also which hee meaneth by the sentence that I alleadged out of the first of Samuel, namely that obedience is better than al the Sacrifices in the worlde. Also the same thing is confirmed by Ieremie,1 saying: When thy fathers §40cam out of Egypt, did I require sacrifices or such other thinges at their handes? In deede God commaunded sacrifices: but yet the chiefe thing that hee required, was that they shoulde obey his voyce. The thing that God aimed at, the thing wherein all our righteousnesse consisteth, is to herken to his speeche, that his authoritie may weye with vs, so as wee fall not to replying to bee wise of our selues, nor to doe what wee thinke good: but that hee onely may