A17698:1750
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.
Thus ye see how Gods word is abused now adays at mens pleasures, without any fear or reverence, for want of considering that which Moses telleth here, that is to wit, that when we resort unto God, we must bethink us of the dreadful Majesty that is in him, that it may bridle us and hold us in subjection to him, and make us to yield him such honour, as to be abashed at his speaking to us, until we have conceived what he saith to us: & upon the knowledge thereof, to be ready and forward in obeying the same, without any gainsaying. And so ye see what we have to gather upon this text, where he saith that the God which hath uttered himself by the Law, is great & terrible.
Thus ye see how Gods word is abused now adayes at mens pleasures, without any feare or reuerence, for want of cōsidering that which Moses telleth here, that is to wit, yt when we resort vnto God, wee must bethinke vs of the dreadfull Maiestie that is in him, that it may bridle vs and holde vs in subiection to him, and make vs to yeeld him such honour, as to be abashed at his speaking to vs, vntill we haue conceiued what he saith to vs: & vpon the knowledge thereof, to be ready and foreward in obeying the same, without any gainfaiyng. And so ye see what we haue to gather vpō this text, where he saith yt the God which hath vttered himselfe by the Law, is great & terrible.
Certain it is that GOD intendeth not to to drive us away from him, but rather to win us to him by gentleness. But yet must we be fain to be tamed, because of the pride that is in us, least we grow bold to offend him, and cannot find in our hearts to be inured to his yoke, than the which there is not any thing more hard for us to do. We must (I say) be first subdued by the fear or terror that Moses speaketh of here, before we can conceive Gods goodness. But yet must it be so tempered, as we shun no• his good instruction, ne be so dismayed as to refuse Gods word out of hand; but as it may be as a preparative, to make us good scholars, and to draw our wits to such a teachableness, as all that ever we have of nature may be done away, and nothing may hinder us to receive his doctrine without gainsaying, but that his word (besides that we love it) may also be reverenced at our hands, and we follow it by submitting our selves to it always and in all cases.