A17698:1928
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.
IN the Doctrine that I have delivered unto you already, there are two parts. The one is that God will have all things utterly rooted out wherewith Idols have been served. And good reason hath he so to do, because he seeth the frailty of men: for if we have never so small an occasion, by and by we be miscarried. For Idolatry §50is so rooted in our hearts, that we have need as it were to pluck ourselves from it by force: and what will then become of us, when we be drawn to it? Let us mark well therefore, that forasmuch as we be inclined to superstition, if we intend to serve GOD, we must put away all things that may turn us from the right way, & from the simplicity which God commandeth us. And men cannot stand too much upon their guard in that case. True it is that a number of men §60do ween themselves to be so strong, that although they be never so much conversant among the superstitions of the unbelievers, yet they shall not be attainted with them: But God is wiser than we. And therefore let us remember the lesson that he telleth us: namely that we must shun all the uperstitions of the heathen and the misbelievers, or else his service will be marred among us by and by. But forasmuch as I have declared that part already, I will stand no longer upon it.
IN the Doctrine that I haue deliuered vnto you alreadie, there are two partes. The one is that God will haue all thinges vtterly rooted out wherewith Idols haue beene serued. And good reason hath hee so to doe, because he seeth the frailtie of men: for if we haue neuer so small an occasion, by and by we be miscaried. For Idolatrie §50is so rooted in our heartes, that wee haue neede as it were to plucke ourselues from it by force: and what wil then become of vs, when we be drawen to it? Let vs marke wel therefore, that forasmuch as we be inclined to superstition, if we intende to serue GOD, we must put away all things that may turne vs from the right way, & from the simplicitie which God commaundeth vs. And men cannot stand too much vpon their gard in that case. True it is that a number of mē §60do weene themselues to be so strong, yt although they be neuer somuch conuersant among ye superstitions of the vnbeleeuers, yet they shal not be atteinted with them: But God is wiser thā we. And therfore let vs remember the lesson that he telleth vs: namely that we must shunne all the uperstitions of the heathen and the misbeleeuers, or else his seruice will bee marred among vs by and by. But forasmuch as I haue declared that part alreadie, I wil stand no longer vpon it.