A17698:1989
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.
Now hereupon Moses repeateth the same thing again which I have expounded heretofore: that is to say, That the Jews might eat flesh through as all the land of Ivire, conditionally that the sacrifices were reserved for the sanctuary, & for the temple then the time were come that it were builded. I have told you already that the cause why God gave such leave, was to the end that men should learn to refrain from the attempting of any thing which they were not sure to be lawful for them to do. And how shall we know that the things which we do are acceptable to God? By having his word which he giveth us. For it is not for us to be further of his counsel, than he discloseth unto us. To be short, it is showed us here, that in all our life we must not stir one finger, except we be sure that GOD hath given us leave. Now he for his part leaveth us not in doubt, but hath given us a sure and unfallible rule, so as we may always discern the certainty at leastwise ⟨p. 515⟩if we will hold our selves contented with the thing that God alloweth, without adding any thing to his doctrine and his law. For there he hath uttered his will in such wise unto us, that if we want any thing now, it is because we list not to hearken to him that hath all dominion over us. As for example, all the doubts that are among the Papists proceed of nothing else but of a foolish curiosity which they have to do §10better than GOD commandeth them. O (say they) I would be so holy as nothing might pass from me which should not be good. And is it not enough to obey GOD? Yes (say they), but I would do yet more. He that passeth those bounds, shall but torment himself, and dwell in unquietness all the time of his life, as we see these hypocrites are, which are always tossed and turmoiled with some doubt. And what is the cause thereof? It is a reward which they deserve very well because they will not rule themselves §20by Gods word.1 But (as the Prophet Isaiah sayeth) if we walk purely and simply according to Gods word, we shall have rest in our souls, and we shall be free from all these troubles and debates which the wretched unbelievers make: for they wot not at which end to begin, neither know they where to make an end.