A17698:2003
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 therefore, if we should follow the guise of the world, we should be carried quite away. Again, even they that pretend to be fullest of devotion, may chance to use some pelting trash and baggage in the serving of God: they may hap to make a number of gewgaws and riffraff: but all such things are nothing worth, they be but flat mockery. So then, it behoveth us to walk before God; & although we see things utterly out of order, and all brought to confusion, yet must we hold the right way still which GOD showeth unto us. If we see men go astray, and devise never so many fond devotions, let us leave all such things, and be contented to follow Gods ordinance. ⟨p. 518⟩Surely although the world like never so well of our doings, yet shall we not fail to be condemned: but if God allow of us, then have we a good warrant. As for example, because that nowadays we use not the gewgaws of the Papists, we have not any puppets here, we have no decking of altars, we have no tapers nor such other stuff: they laugh our plain dealing to scorn, and they think there is no serving of GOD among us. But howsoever §10we fare, we have here a good record; which is, that we do the things that are good in the sight of our God. And it is not for once only that Moses speaketh hereof. We have seen other texts heretofore tending to the same effect: but here this saying is set down twice within ten lines: and it is no more than needeth, considering how froward we be to do the things which the world liketh, insomuch that we covet to be soothed, and will §20needs always justify our selves to the worldwarde. Moses therefore bringeth back to that point. No (sayeth he), be contented to do whatsoever our Lord enjoineth you. For if he allow of your doings, then is it perfect righteousness: and therefore hardily laugh all the world to scorn. So then, that is one point which we have to bear in mind, when Moses telleth us that we must do that which is good before God.
Nowe therefore, if wee shoulde followe the guise of the worlde, wee should bee caried quite away. Againe, euen they that pretende to bee fullest of deuotion, may chaunce to vse some pelting trash and baggage in the seruing of God: they may happe to make a number of geugawes and rifferaffe: but all such thinges are nothing worth, they bee but flatte mockerie. So then, it behoueth vs to walke before God; & although wee see thinges vtterly out of order, and all brought to confusion, yet must wee holde the right way still which GOD sheweth vnto vs. If wee see men goe astray, and deuise neuer so many fonde deuotions, let vs leaue all such thinges, and be contented to follow Gods ordinance.