A17698:1713
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.
Now for a conclusion, here Moses setteth §20forth commandments for the welfare of the people. Whereas he sayeth that he setteth them forth, it is to take away all excuses of ignorance, and to quail mens foolish curiosity, that would sty above the clouds to know Gods will. Ye see then how GOD maketh us unexcusable, when he sendeth us his word, and commandeth it to be preached unto us. Could he make him self more familiar unto us, than by sending mortal men as his messengers unto us, to §30speak unto us in his name, and to give us understanding of his will by their means? Then if we say that we know not Gods will, you see here is wherewith to disprove us; for God hath given us his word in writing, so as we need not to seek for it: and therefore it ought to be sufficiently known unto us. Now then let us also learn to receive it with reverence & humility: and when we hear mortal men speaking unto us, let us assure our selves, that we §40must not measure the majesty of Gods word by their persons. But we must have an eye to him from whom it cometh, and which is the author of it, that we may submit our selves wholly unto it. Therefore let us not have these devilish fancies with us, as some dreamers have, which say, O that God would speak to me from heaven, I would fain have some revelation. Let it content us that God cometh down unto us, to make us privy to his will: for that is §50it which Moses meant, in saying that he did set forth Gods commandments: as if he had said, that men need not to go far to seek him. And in the end he showeth, that all this tendeth to the welfare of the people, so as God seeketh not any benefit to himself,1 for he needeth not to borrow aught of us, neither can we do him any pleasure: we can do him neither good nor harm, all things are his: according §60to the eight Psalm,2 and also the fiftieth Psalm, where it is said, that all the beasts in the field are in his possession, and that if he be hungry or want any thing he needeth not to seek it at our hands. Why then requireth he to be served of us? It is for our benefit, for that there can not be a greater good turn unto men, than to be the servants of their maker.