A17698:1937
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.
Beware of such superstition, and be contented with the having of his name, that is to say, that your God is there called upon, that his Law is there preached to you, that his promises are there set before you, that you be grounded upon his grace, that you need not to doubt but that he is your father and Saviour, that you may boldly sue unto him, and that you be sure he is ready to receive your requests. That is the intent why your God is minded to be among you.
Beware of such superstition, and be contented with the hauing of his name, that is to say, yt your God is there called vpon, that his Law is there preached to you, that his promises are there set before you, that you be grounded vpon his grace, that you neede not to doubt but that he is your father and Sauior, that you may boldly sue vnto him, and that you be sure he is ready to receiue your requests. That is the intent why your God is minded to be among you.
Of this place we have a good lesson to gather, which is, that seeing God hath ordained means agreeable to our infirmity to serve him withal; we ought to use them, according to this saying, thou shalt seek out that place. For Moses having warned the Jews of their rudeness, commandeth them to benefit themselves by such means as the Lord teacheth them: that is to wit, by the ceremonies which he would give them. Nowadays we have not the like ceremonies to those that were under the law. But yet doth our Lord bear with us also, so far forth as he seeth it requisite, and giveth us such ceremonies as are meet for us, in respect whereof we have the meetings that are made among us, as I have said afore. And why? To the end that Gods word should be preached to us, that we should make common prayers as it were with one mouth, that we should confess our faith, and christendom together, and that the Sacraments should be ministered in the company of the faithful. Seeing that our Lord giveth us such means, it behoveth us to use them. For whosoever despiseth them, mocketh God openly. Let us mark well that whatsoever our Lord hath ordained for our behoof, we must receive it, & be diligent to strengthen our faith thereby daily more & more. For if I think my self to be so perfect, that I pass not to come at the Church, there to benefit my self with others: it is a devilish overweening; and it were better for me that I were some poor beggar that had neither wit nor understanding, (so as in the mean while I knew mine own poverty) than to be so high minded. For it is the next way to cast me down to the bottom of hell, when I will needs exempt my self from the common order. And therefore whosoever hath any zeal and affection to serve God, must do that which is commanded here in seeking the place that God hath appointed: that is to say, he must not hold scorn of any thing which he hath ordained for the confirming of our faith. That is one point.