A17698:1706
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.
Besides this, Moses telleth us that God will not only be served & honoured but also loved. And here are three words; the one is Love, the other is Reverence, & the third is Service. Now as touching Reverence or Fear, (for he useth the same term of fear;) it is not a slavish fearfulness, but it is the serviceableness & honour which we yield unto god in submitting our selves unto him, because we be throughly persuaded that forasmuch as he hath all sovereignty over us, it is good reason that we should be subject unto him. First & foremost therefore let us consider, that although God had not spoken to us to persuade us to this reverence; surely even nature showeth it us sufficiently, and it is well enough proved unto us in our selves. For although it were never told us that the lewdness of men is such, as they seek nothing else but to turn away from God, & to become beastlike by all means they can devise, yea even wittingly & wilfully: yet our heads & harts are stuffed so full of that lesson, as we cannot be ignorant of it. And therefore it standeth us greatly in hand to bear in mind what this word reverence or fear importeth, that is to wit, that God ought to be honoured of all his creatures, & that seeing we be his, we ought to offer our selves to be subject to him.
Besides this, Moses telleth vs yt God will not only be serued & honored but also loued. And here are three words; the one is Loue, the other is Reuerence, & the third is Seruice. Now as touching Reuerence or Feare, (for he vseth the same term of feare;) it is not a slauish fearefulnes, but it is ye seruiceablenes & honor which we yeld vnto god in submitting our selues vnto him, because we be throughly persuaded that forasmuch as he hath all soueraintie ouer vs, it is good reason that we should be subiect vnto him. First & formost therfore let vs consider, that although God had not spoken to vs to persuade vs to this reuerence; surely euen nature sheweth it vs sufficiently, and it is welynough proued vnto vs in our selues. For although it were neuer told vs that the lewdnes of men is such, as they seeke nothing else but to turne away from God, & to become beastlike by al meanes they can deuise, yea euen wittingly & wilfully: yet our heads & harts are stuffed so full of that lesson, as we cānot be ignorant of it. And therfore it standeth vs greatly in hand to beare in mind what this word reuerēce or feare importeth, that is to wit, that God ought to be honored of all his creatures, & that seeing we be his, wee ought to offer our selues to be subiect to him.