A17698:2089
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 then, we see, that God punisheth, not only those that would abolish all religion:§20 but also those that would corrupt his trueth. And therefore for the better understanding of this law that is given us here, let us mark at a word, that it is not for us to say, There is no God, it is but folly for men to trouble themselves about any devotion, for we shall gain nothing by it: but [we must consider,] that if a man be never so devout, and think to do never so well, yet if he turn himself to the superstitions of the Heathen like a renegate,§30 and know not the true God: he is condemned. And it is a distinction which we ought to bear well in mind. For our Lord showeth us, that he will have us to be contented with his word, and to rest wholly upon it, that we may be bridled by it, and not attempt to alter any thing, seeing he hath once declared with his own mouth what he alloweth.
Nowe then, wee see, that God punisheth, not onely those that woulde abolish all religion:§20 but also those that woulde corrupt his trueth. And therefore for the better vnderstanding of this lawe that is giuen vs heere, let vs marke at a worde, that it is not for vs to saye, There is no God, it is but folly for men to trouble themselues about any deuotion, for wee shall gaine nothing by it: but [wee must consider,] that if a man bee neuer so deuout, and thinke to doo neuer so well, yet if hee turne himselfe to the superstitions of the Heathen like a renegate,§30 and knowe not the true God: hee is condemned. And it is a distinction which wee ought to beare well in minde. For our Lorde sheweth vs, that hee will haue vs to bee contented with his worde, and to rest wholly vppon it, that wee may bee brydled by it, and not attempt to alter any thing, seeing hee hath once declared with his owne mouth what hee alloweth.
And he sayeth expressly, the gods which neither thou nor thy fathers have known. By this saying