A17698:2031
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 let us proceed to that which Moses addeth. Without adding aught to it, (saith he) or without taking aught from it. And this is an excellent text to show us how mens lives may be §50well ordered. I have told you before, that it is a good trial of our subjection unto God, when we receive his word, and that his commandments bear such sway with us, as we bow down our necks to receive the yoke that he layeth upon them. But that were not sufficient, unless we had that which Moses addeth here, which is, that it is not lawful for us to add any whit to the things that God commandeth, nor to take any whit from them, as the Papists §60do in these days, who bear themselves in hand that they cannot do amiss in mingling their own follies with Gods word. And why so? For we do as GOD commandeth us, say they. We deny not but that we ought to keep God Laws; but what harm is it for us to do more? If we use some devotion of overplus, will not God take it in good worth? If I do more than I am bound to do, why should not God accept it in good part? I may well do whatsoever he appointeth: yea, & I will add somewhat more to serve him withal. When the Papists get such a shrouding sheet, they bear them selves in hand that all their matters go very well, but in the mean while they consider not that God will have none to be counted wise but himself, nor none to have the authority to be our Lawgiver but himself. The Papists then do blaspheme GOD two ways: first in taking upon them to be holier than he would have them to be. For when we devise means of our own head to please God withal after that fashion; it is all one as if he had not bin well advised in the matter. Behold God saith that all our wisdom must consist in hearkening unto him.1 We have seen it in the fourth chapter & also in the tenth, where it is said, O Israel, what is it that thy God commandeth thee but only to stick to him, & to be wholly his. Hereby we see how it was Gods intent to comprise yt sum of all holiness and righteousness in his Law, so as it is a full perfection whereunto nothing can be added. Nevertheless men think and suppose that they themselves can do yet much better. And what is that to say? Is it not a blaming of God, as who should say he had forgotten himself, and foresaw not all things?
Now let vs proceede to that which Moses addeth. Without adding aught to it, (sayth hee) or without taking aught from it. And this is an excellent text to shewe vs how mens lyues may be