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A17698:2110

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.

John Calvin 1509–1564London: printed by Henry Middleton for George Bishop, 1583

[12], 1247, [145] p. · 1.5M words · STC 4442 · ESTC S107166

Title page: Princeton Theological Seminary Library copy, digitized by the Internet Archive (opens the Internet Archive in a new tab)

THE SERMONS of Master John Calvin upon the fifth book of Moses call… › Sermon 88: On Wednesday the xvj. of October. 1555. The Lxxxviij. Sermon which is the third upon th…THE SERMONS of Master Iohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Moses cal… › Sermon 88: On Wednesday the xvj. of October. 1555. The Lxxxviij. Sermon which is the third vpon th…

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.

[ Earlier:2107–2122 of 6,323

:2107p. 544§60

But we see that all things are turned upside down. And therefore let us look that we be well informed, (as I said afore) and that we be well assured that we have Gods certain trueth, and that we be throughly resolved of it, so as we may be able to say, It is God that hath spoken it, we have been taught it in his school, and we renounce all imaginations of men: for we know there is nothing but vanity and untruth in men. God then must be the author of our faith, and allow it, before we can say. This is the trueth. And when we be so resolved, then may we obey this commandment here.

But we see that all thinges are turned vpside downe. And therefore let vs looke that wee bee well informed, (as I saide afore) and that wee bee well assured that wee haue Gods certaine trueth, and that wee bee throughly resolued of it, so as wee may bee able to say, It is God that hath spoken it, we haue beene taught it in his schoole, and wee renounce all imaginations of men: for wee knowe there is nothing but vanitie and vntrueth in men. God then must bee the author of our faith, and allowe it, before wee can say. This is the trueth. And when wee bee so resolued, then may wee obey this commaundement here.

:2108p. 544§60

But we must mark therewithal, that it is not enough for men to excuse themselves by saying, as for me I mean not to abolish all religion; and yet if I like well of this thing, why should it not be lawful for me to have it? Moses showeth us that although a man pretend the title of some god, yet is that nothing: for we must have the living GOD; and that when we have once the knowledge of the true Religion, that must suffice us, and that if we go astray, it is through our own fault, and there is no excuse for us. That is the meaning of Moses, and it is a doctrine well worthy to be noted. For many men might find starting holes in this behalf.

But wee must marke therewithall, that it is not ynough for men to excuse themselues by saying, as for mee I meane not to abolish all religion; and yet if I like well of this thing, why shoulde it not bee lawfull for mee to haue it? Moses sheweth vs that although a man pretend the title of some god, yet is that nothing: for wee must haue the liuing GOD; and that when wee haue once the knowledge of the true Religion, that must suffice vs, and that if wee goe astraye, it is through our owne fault, and there is no excuse for vs. That is the meaning of Moses, and it is a doctrine well worthie to bee noted. For many men might finde starting holes in this behalfe.

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Cited: :2110
On this page: :2107–2122
Section: :2078–2120
Whole work: 6,323 passages

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John Calvin, Sermons upon Deuteronomy (At London, 1583), serm. 88, §60, p. 544. EEBO-TCP A17698.

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The book

Title as printed: 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.
Author: John Calvin 1509–1564
Place: London
Printer: Henry Middleton
Bookseller: George Bishop
Year: 1583
Size: [12], 1247, [145] p.
Words: 1,484,943
Catalogue: STC 4442 · ESTC S107166
Text: EEBO-TCP A17698

Passages: 6,323
Sections: 1,725

:2111p. 544–545§60

And although the heathen keep still their dotages, although the Jews be wilful in maintaining their false exposition of the law, although the ⟨p. 545⟩Turks hold still their Mahomets Alcoran, although the Papists be still entangled in their superstitions: all is one, so they hold fast this principle, that there is a God. Yea, but Moses sayeth here expressly, that although a man pretend an intent to serve God: yet must he be stoned to death, if it be known that he meant but only to overthrow or disguise the true religion. And what more then? For (as I have said) we must not only pronounce with our §10mouth that there is a God: but we must also discern him from all the abuses that men have invented of their own brain. For otherwise it is but a mocking of all the holy Scripture. I shall say I worship God, and in the mean time I worship a puppet. And what is my God? It is a fantasy that I have devised in mine own head: it is not the living God, he disclaimeth all such dealings, & so am I but a forger. For (as Saint Paul speaketh of it in the first to the Romans,¹)§20 such as have wandered away after their own imaginations, have transformed the majesty of GOD, though their intent was to worship the living God, as the Papists do, which protest that they worship God the maker of heaven and earth; and likewise the Turks, who say the same thing; and so also do the Jews, notwithstanding that they abhor Jesus Christ.

And although the heathen keepe stil their dotages, although the Iewes be wilfull in maintayning their false exposition of ye lawe, although the ⟨p. 545⟩Turkes holde still their Mahomets Alcoran, although the Papistes bee still intangled in their superstitions: all is one, so they holde fast this principle, that there is a God. Yea, but Moses sayeth here expressely, that although a man pretende an intent to serue God: yet must hee bee stoned to death, if it be knowen that hee meant but onely to ouerthrowe or disguise the true religion. And what more then? For (as I haue sayd) wee must not onely pronounce with our §10mouth that there is a God: but wee must also discerne him from all the abuses that men haue inuented of their owne brayne. For otherwise it is but a mocking of all the holy Scripture. I shall say I worship God, and in the meane time I worship a puppet. And what is my God? It is a fantasie that I haue deuised in mine owne head: it is not the liuing God, hee disclaymeth all such dealings, & so am I but a forger. For (as Saint Paul speaketh of it in the first to the Romanes,¹)§20 such as haue wandred away after their owne imaginations, haue transformed the maiestie of GOD, though their intent was to worship the liuing God, as the Papistes doe, which protest that they worship God the maker of heauen and earth; and likewise the Turkes, who say the same thing; and so also doe the Iewes, notwithstanding that they abhorre Iesus Christ.

1Rom 1.21.

:2115p. 545§60

On the other side, if we may well spit in such mens faces, notwithstanding that they say that their so doing is to maintain Gods honour, what is to be done to such as will needs after a sort deface it quite and clean? But let us come back again to the matter. There is a man that goes about to pervert the trueth thorough fond devotion; and to turn it into untruth: the same man ought to dye. There is a Roister that casteth forth lewd scoffs against the holy Scripture, as doeth that devilish fellow which is called Pantagruel, and all his filthy and ribaldly writings: and this sort of men pretend not to set up any new Religion, as though they were deluded by their own foolish imaginations: but like mad dogs they belch out their filthiness against the majesty of God, and their meaning is to overthrow all religion: and should such be spared? Why not? for they have the Cardinals for their upholders, they be favoured and maintained by them: in so much that the names of these Lord Cardinals are blazed in those goodly books, which serve to mock God as well as Mahomet. All is one, all may be abidden, so the Cardinals be curried, it is well enough, and it doth them good to be so registered: whereby a man may see that they not only mock at all Religion, but also could find in their hearts to abolish all religion quite and clean.

On the other side, if wee may well spit in such mennes faces, notwithstanding that they saye that their so doing is to maintaine Gods honor, what is to bee doone to such as will needes after a sort deface it quyte and cleane? But let vs come backe againe to the matter. There is a man that goes about to peruert the trueth thorough fonde deuotion; and to turne it into vntrueth: the same man ought to dye. There is a Royster that casteth forth lewd scoffes against the holy Scripture, as doeth that diuelish fellowe which is called Pantagruell, and all his filthie and ribauldly writings: and this sort of men pretende not to set vp any newe Religion, as though they were deluded by their owne foolish imaginations: but like madde dogges they belke out their filthinesse against the maiestie of God, and their meaning is to ouerthrowe all religion: and shoulde such bee spared? Why not? for they haue the Cardinalles for their vpholders, they bee fauoured and maintained by them: in so much that the names of these Lord Cardinalles are blazed in those goodly bookes, which serue to mocke God as well as Mahomet. All is one, all may bee abidden, so the Cardinalles bee curryed, it is welynough, and it doth them good to bee so registred: whereby a man may see that they not onely mocke at all Religion, but also coulde finde in their heartes to abolish all religion quite and cleane.

:2116p. 545§60

But herewithall let us also see how we may apply this to our own use, for we must not only condemn those that have showed themselves such as I have spoken of: but we must also fare the better by their example, to the end we may know how it is too wicked, yea, and too devilish a thing, that when men go about to make some backsliding or to set some trouble among us, and much rather to drive away all fear of GOD, and be favoured or shrouded, or harkened unto, or have any gap left open to them, or be let alone unpunished; it is the next way to undo and mar all. And yet we have seen examples of such as have maintained so cursed things, yea, and of such importance as the very Papists themselves could not endure them. For it is certain that the two heretics that were here, did wrest the holy Scriptures much more than the Papists. As touching this Treacle maker, who was the first of them; he maintained free will, & destroyed Gods election: and are those things maintained among the Papists? Nevertheless we see how he was favoured, & he was held up by the chin as it were in despite of God.

But herewithall let vs also see howe wee may apply this to our owne vse, for wee must not onely condemne those that haue shewed themselues such as I haue spoken of: but wee must also fare the better by their example, to the end wee may knowe howe it is too wicked, yea, and too diuelish a thing, that when men go about to make some backeslyding or to set some trouble among vs, and much rather to driue away all feare of GOD, and bee fauoured or shrowded, or harkened vnto, or haue any gappe left open to them, or be let alone vnpunished; it is the next way to vndoe and marre all. And yet wee haue seene examples of such as haue maintained so cursed thinges, yea, and of such importance as the verie Papistes themselues coulde not endure them. For it is certaine that the two heretikes that were here, did wrest the holy Scriptures much more than the Papistes. As touching this Triacle maker, who was the first of them; hee maintayned free will, & destroyed Gods election: and are those thinges maintained among the Papistes? Neuerthelesse wee see how he was fauoured, & hee was held vp by the chinne as it were in despite of God.

:2117p. 545–546§60

Again, as touching the second, we know how he was so horrible a blasphemer, that all men abhorred his lewd opinions: and yet for ⟨p. 546⟩all that, had he not his maintainers and defenders? Yes: for men showed them more favour than if they had been the nearest of their kin. And yet was it not evident that they conspired continually against God and his trueth, to wage battle against him? Therefore let us look nearlier to our selves, & to conclude let us understand that when God hath given us the grace to have the certainty of faith, so as we be grounded upon his word; we must hold us to it after such a §10sort, that whensoever we see any body go about to trouble the order which God hath set, we may all set our selves against it, and not tarry till all agree in one, but that whosoever of us doth first perceive the mischief, the same do discover it out of hand, and every of us do his duty in such wise, as such plaguey persons be not nourished among us. For (as I have declared already) we see there is such frailty in us, that a very little leaven will sower our whole batch §20of dowe;¹ and as soon as we give ear to Satan's juggling tricks, by and by we be over-thrown and so entangled, that in the end we be carried quite away from our God and from the true religion.

Againe, as touching the seconde, we knowe how he was so horrible a blasphemer, that al mē abhorred his leawde opinions: and yet for ⟨p. 546⟩all that, had he not his maintainers and defenders? Yes: for men shewed them more fauour than if they had beene the neerest of their kin. And yet was it not euident that they conspired continually against God and his trueth, to wage battel against him? Therefore let vs looke neerlyer to our selues, & to conclude let vs vnderstād that when God hath giuen vs the grace to haue the certeintie of faith, so as we be grounded vpō his worde; wee must holde vs to it after such a §10sort, that whensoeuer we see any bodie go about to trouble the order which God hath set, wee may all set our selues against it, and not tary till al agree in one, but that whosoeuer of vs doth first perceiue the mischiefe, the same doe discouer it out of hande, and euery of vs do his duetie in such wise, as such plagie persons bee not nourished among vs. For (as I haue declared alreadie) wee see there is such frailtie in vs, that a verie little leauen will sower our whole batche §20of dowe;¹ and as soone as wee giue eare to Satans iuggling trickes, by and by wee bee ouer-throwen and so intangled, that in the ende wee bee carryed quite away from our God and from the true religion.

11. Cor 5.6. & Gal. 5.9.

:2122p. 546–547

12 If thou hear say, that in any of the cities which the Lord thy God giveth thee to dwell in, 13 Some wicked men are gone from among you, and have seduced the inhabitants of their cities, saying, let us go and serve other gods whom ye have not known: 14 Then shalt thou search, and inquire, and examine the matter throughly, & if it be true & certain that such abomination hath been done among you: 15 Thou shalt root out the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroy the city, and all that is in it, and the very cattle thereof with the edge of the sword. 16 And thou shalt gather all the spoil thereof together into the midst of the city, and burn up the city and all the spoil thereof with fire to the Lord thy God: and it shall be a heap for ever, and never be builded again, ⟨p. 547⟩17 And none of the cursed things shall stick to thy hands, that the Lord your God may turn away the fierceness of his wrath from thee, and give thee mercy, and have pity upon thee and multiply thee, as he sware to thy fathers, 18 Because thou shalt have obeyed the voice of the Lord thy God, in keeping all his commandments which I command thee this day, to the end thou mayest do the things that are right in the eyes of the Lord thy God.

12 If thou heare say, that in any of the cities which the Lorde thy God giueth thee to dwell in, 13 Some wicked men are gone from among you, and haue seduced the inhabitants of their cities, saying, let vs go and serue other gods whome yee haue not knowen: 14 Then shalt thou search, and inquire, and examine the matter throughly, & if it be true & certaine that such abhomination hath beene doone among you: 15 Thou shalt roote out the inhabitants of that citie with ye edge of the sword, and vtterly destroy the citie, and all that is in it, and the verie cattell thereof with the edge of the sworde. 16 And thou shalt gather al the spoyle thereof together into the middes of the citie, and burne vp the citie and all the spoyle thereof with fire to the Lorde thy God: and it shalbe a heape for euer, and neuer be builded againe, ⟨p. 547⟩17 And none of the cursed thinges shall sticke to thy handes, that the Lorde your God may turne away the fiercenesse of his wrath from thee, and giue thee mercie, and haue pitie vpon thee and multiply thee, as he sware to thy fathers, 18 Because thou shalt haue obeyed the voyce of the Lorde thy God, in keeping all his commaundementes which I commaund thee this day, to the ende thou mayest doe the thinges that are right in the eyes of the Lorde thy God.