A17698:2440
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.
But to the end we may be the more provoked, to deal soundly and substantially: let us also mark this speech that Moses addeth here for a conclusion, namely that it is abomination before God. For men do always make themselves believe, that they cease not to serve God though there be nothing but dissimulation and hypocrisy in all their doings. And we know how hypocrites are puffed up continually with this fond presumption, that although there be nothing §30but counterfeiting in all that they do, yet (to their seeming) God is nevertheless beholden to them; and all is well enough so there be some gay painting and some fair show. In deed they dare not utterly deny that there is any fault at all in them: but yet would they still bear men in hand, that there is much good in them which God accepteth. As for example, when the Popish Priests say their prime & hours, besides that they do but biblebable, their minds §40are elsewhere; one thinks upon his kitchen, and another upon his harlot. Well, they will grant that this is ill done, and that they ought to be more heedful in their praying▪ But yet will they uphold, that so they have a final intent to pray unto God, it is a good and commendable deed; and their coming to Church deserveth very much, so they have this final intent to serve god there, though their minds be distracted about other things. When they have once worshipped §50a puppet, and taken a little holy water, though they look upon a woman after an unchaste sort, although they be carried away with covetousness, or although their minds be occupied about some other wicked, shameful, and hellish lust: yet it skills not, so they have the said final intent of serving God; all is well enough, so they make a show of serving God, notwithstanding that they spite him by all the means they can. Likewise in their fasting, though a man cast him §60self into all manner of lewdness and ruffianry, yet if he fast upon a devotion, O that's a holy man, there is no more fault to be found in him. Thus is it not possible to rid the hypocrites of the false and devilish opinion wherewith they be besotted, of paying God with this pelting trash, which is nothing else than abomination before him; and in the mean while, to spite him in all the residue of their life: