A17698:1962
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 let us note also▪ that by this saying, all our intents (as men term them) are condemned, though they seem never so good to our selves. For we be no competent Judges; God must tell us what is good: & if we on our side find any apparent reason, it is altogether but smoke. So then for as much as God in this place setteth his own word, and the testimony of his will, directly against §10all our devotions, and all that ever seemeth good to us: let us assure our selves that it is not lawful for us to follow whatsoever we think good. For all that is nothing worth: but all the service that we do unto god, must be grounded upon his word & his infallible truth. Without it, we do but build in the air, that is to say, all that ever we do is but dreaming.
And let vs note also▪ yt by this saying, al our intentes (as men terme them) are condemned, though they seeme neuer so good to our selues. For we be no competent Iudges; God must tell vs what is good: & if we on our side find any apparant reasō, it is altogether but smoke. So then for as much as God in this place setteth his own word, and ye testimony of his will, directly against §10all our deuotions, and al that euer seemeth good to vs: let vs assure our selues that it is not lawfull for vs to followe whatsoeuer we think good. For al that is nothing worth: but al ye seruice that wee do vnto god, must be grounded vpon his word & his infallible truth. Without yt, we doe but build in the aire, that is to say, all that euer we do is but dreaming.
Now Moses addeth the same things again which he had spoken concerning Sacrifices, Burnt offerings,§20 freewill offerings, vows & tenths; namely, that all those things must be done & paid in the place that God had chosen out of one of their tribes. This thing was not so soon performed as I have showed heretofore. And the reason is, for that god intended to prove his peoples patience, & also for that the people were not worthy that God should stablish the order at the first, in such sort as he had promised it. And that is a thing well worthy to be marked. For we see that gods gracious gifts are oftentimes long in coming.