A17698:1933
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.
And it is said expressly in the place which the everlasting, thy God shall choose: as if he should say, it is not in the choice of the Jews to appoint God a place or to say unto him, here will we sacrifice.§40 Men must not presume so far. It belongeth to thy God to choose saith Moses. To be short he will have Gods authority to be received and him only to be the ruler of his people, so as he may command what he listeth and be obeyed without gainsaying. Ye see then that the foundation of true religion is not to say, it seemeth so to me, I ween so, I would fain have it so, it is a goodly thing: but to let God speak, and to assure our selves that it is not for us to do any thing but that §50which he alloweth. And so is meant by this saying that obedience is more worth before him than all manner of sacrifice.1 And in very deed can we do him any greater honour than to rest upon his word, and suffer our selves to be governed by it, and to be as poor blind folks until he have lightened us and showed us the way? Now as for those that follow their own devotions, they bereave GOD of his sovereignty and yield him no reverence at all: therefore it is but a building in the §60air and an utter confusion. Wherefore let us weigh well this word choose, that we may be fully resolved in our selves that none but God hath authority to set order how he should be honoured and served.
And it is said expressely in the place which the euerlasting, thy God shal choose: as if he shold say, it is not in the choice of ye Iewes to appoint God a place or to say vnto him, here wil wee sacrifice.§40 Men must not presume so far. It belongeth to thy God to choose saith Moses. To be short hee will haue Gods authoritie to bee receiued and him onely to be the ruler of his people, so as he may command what he listeth and be obeyed without gainsaying. Ye see then that the foundation of true religion is not to say, it seemeth so to me, I weene so, I would faine haue it so, it is a goodly thing: but to let God speake, and to assure our selues that it is not for vs to doe any thing but yt §50which he alloweth. And so is meant by this saying that obedience is more worth before him thā all maner of sacrifice.