A17698:1932
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.
but will have men to embrace whatsoever he commandeth, and to rest upon it without gainsaying or replying. For declaration hereof he saith, Ye shall resort to the place which he shall have chosen to put his name in, and to dwell in. Which saying here is expounded ⟨p. 496⟩of some to be his habitation, that is to say, his sanctuary or tabernacle. But all cometh to one end: Gods meaning is plain & undoubtful, namely that whereas the heathen had set up many Altars, builded many Chapels, and gone on many pilgrimages: the Israelites should hold themselves contented with the only sanctuary. Now if it were lawful for men to be ruled by their own reason, the Jews might here have pleaded in this wise against God, What, the country is §10great, and shall there be no Altar in no place of it but only in one? There are diverse great Cities; and shall there be never a Temple in them for men to offer sacrifice in and to do their devotions? There are a great number of countries bordering upon it, [which do otherwise;] and shall we in worshipping GOD look only unto heaven? Why shall there be no altar? It might seem therefore that the Jews had very just cause to refuse this commandment and to say §20we will be so devout that we will have some sign or mark of Gods dwelling among us and we will worship him, and do solemn sacrifices unto him. But what? In this case men must bridle themselves and hold their own wits in captivity, so as they give God leave to speak, and they themselves hold their peace, without attempting to go any further than Gods mouth permitteth them. Ye see then how it is Gods will to humble his servants by making them §30subject to his word. Wherefore let us learn that we must not follow our own sway nor our own imagination: but this ought to suffice us, that our service be acceptable unto God, by ordering of it according to his will: there is no other way but that.
but wil haue mē to imbrace whatsoeuer he commandeth, and to rest vpon it wtout gainsaying or replying. For declaration hereof he saith, Ye shal resort to the place which hee shall haue chosen to put his name in, and to dwel in. Which saying here is expounded ⟨p. 496⟩