A17698:2557
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.
IT is in vain for God to give us many laws & lessons, if we determine not with our selves to obey §10him in all points. For the first point whereat we must begin is to know Gods authority, & to learn to submit our selves to his word without any gainsaying. If the Law in general have not this force; to what purpose is it for God to speak of this thing or of that thing? Therefore let us bear well in mind, that we must be disposed to receive whatsoever God enjoineth us, before we can benefit our selves by any one sentence of §20the holy Scripture. As for example, when a man cometh to a sermon, though he hear the matter, yet shall it not touch him to the quick, unless he know aforehand that Gods truth must be received, and that it is not to be encountered with disputing. And surely we see many which are sufficiently convicted, that the things which are told them are true, and that they be not able to reply against them: and yet pass not to make a mock of them. And why is that? Because they be §30not touched with the majesty of God; and therefore they cannot think that we ought to submit our selves to him that made us, & fashioned us to be obedient to him & to his commandment. But on the contrary part, when we be urged to receive the things which we know to come of God, his truth will bear sway with us. As soon as we hear that it is God which speaketh,1 we tremble at his speech, as is said by the prophet Isaiah. And so ye see now why God giveth this general rule to his §40people, that they must hold themselves to his pure and simple will. But for as much as men are naturally given to superstition, & seem to seek even wilfully to be beguiled: God here doth first withdraw us from all errors and abuses, & afterward giveth us a foundation whereon to stay & to be builded, that is to wit by hearkening unto him, & by sticking to that which he saith. Thus are there here two principal reasons. The one is y• God correcteth the vanity that is in men, in that they §50rather give over themselves to cozenages & lyings, than to the rightful truth. And thereupon he showeth after what manner they may be directed, giving them a remedy against all the wiles of Satan. For if a husbandman will have his seed to thrive, he must first till his ground: & if there come up any shrewd weeds, he must pull them up or cut them off. After the same manner doth God deal with us: